Europe Faces Record Long Airport Passport Queues, Newark Delays Amid Staffing Shortages

Travelers across Europe are facing unprecedented delays at airports this summer, with passport queues stretching up to five hours in some cases, notably at Brussels Airport and Faro. These delays are attributed to a combination of increased summer flight traffic, staffing shortages, and infrastructural challenges, compounded by Brexit-related paperwork at certain locations like Faro. Despite diplomatic efforts to ease travel, such as British travelers being allowed e-gate access to the EU, frustrations persist due to erratic processing and limited staffing, with airports like Berlin Brandenburg and Venice Treviso also experiencing significant bottlenecks. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Newark International Airport is experiencing delays averaging over 90 minutes due to staffing shortages, despite the recent reopening of one runway. Additionally, congestion is affecting transport to major ports, exemplified by hour-long traffic backups on the A20 route to Dover amid high summer travel volumes and traffic management measures. These issues highlight systemic pressures on travel infrastructure both in Europe and the U.S., raising concerns about preparedness for peak travel seasons.