Three-hour airport waits: EU sues IBM and European firms Atos and Leonardo over troubled entry/exit border system
Reported by the Guardian ·
Lawsuit over system development
The EU has brought a case against IBM, Atos and Leonardo, the companies involved in the troubled border-management system. An internal document revealed the lawsuit, which was filed last year.
Delays and technical problems
The system’s rollout has encountered significant difficulties. At peak times, some passengers have missed flights amid delays blamed on the technology and a lack of border staff. Airports have reported malfunctioning EES kiosks and recurring outages. Waiting times have reached three hours during peak periods.
Officials distinguish operations
The agency said the proceedings concern the system’s development phase and have no effect on its current operation. It also said EES is fully operational.
Key points
- The EU filed a lawsuit last year against IBM, Atos and Leonardo over the border system.
- The rollout has been linked to missed flights, kiosk malfunctions and outages.
- Peak-period waits have reached three hours.
- The agency and European Commission said the case concerns development, not current operations.