Has anyone come through Brandenburg Airport and had to register for the EES recently, and can tell me what it’s like? I’ve heard/read a number of stories about difficulties and delays, and I’m wondering if it’s got worse/better in the last couple of weeks. Perhaps the staff are getting used to the system and dealing with issues...?
The new EES system has been brought in gradually since last year, and became compulsory on 10 April. It requires non EU travellers to register for it by scanning their fingerprints and face on arrival at their destination airport. This is making getting through passport control much slower for now.
I’m flying with Ryanair on Monday week, from Stansted to Brandenburg Terminal 2. I’ve chosen a flight that gets in later in the afternoon as I thought it might be quieter than arriving mid morning. To help travellers register faster, Brandenburg has installed a number of self service booths to do the scanning, but apparently not all of them work…
My return flight to Stansted the following Monday doesn’t look much easier. I have to take some hold luggage, and the baggage drops only open two hours before the flight. There have been long queues to get through passport control and security. Some people who have had to wait to drop bags off then queue for a long time have actually ended up missing their flights.
Apparently everything is made worse by the new(ish) Brandenburg Airport not being up to the Germans’ usual high standards of efficiency and design. The signage and layout are bad, the staff are scarce and rude, etc. etc. etc!
I’ve got some health issues (not bad enough to need assisted boarding) and I’m travelling alone, so I’m a bit worried about possibly having to stand for long periods, running out of water and needing the loo.
Does anyone have any recent experiences, and any hints or tips? Thanks!