US embassy issues warning over waiting times at Lisbon airport

The US embassy in Portugal has issued a warning on its website to citizens and travellers to expect long waiting times at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado International Airport over the holiday period from Thanksgiving Day and the Christmas and New Year period.

Therefore, passengers flying to the US should plan to arrive at least three hours prior to their flight takeoff.

“Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon is currently experiencing longer waiting times than usual, especially during peak hours,” reads the warning published on Tuesday. “Travelers are strongly advised to allow extra time for check-in, security checks and passport control during the festive season,” it says.

The embassy also warns that “passport control may take more time than expected, resulting in delays that could result in missed flights.”

It also recommends using the electronic kiosks or e-gates to speed up passport control for those with electronic passports, except if travelling with children in which case they should use the normal queues.

The embassy is also warning that those travellers wanting to use the tax-free desk should factor in even more time.

The warning comes after reports from the US community in Lisbon of complaints over lost flights, massive queues and chaos at passport control, with even one report claiming a fight broke out in the queue.

Humberto Delgado airport has been experiencing long waiting times at passport control, which were aggravated by the entry into operation of the Schengen Area Entry and Exit System (EES) on 12 October, which replaced manual passport stamps with centralised electronic records, which include biometric data (fingerprints and facial photography).

A problem recognised by the Government in an order published at the end of last month in which it created a special team to respond to the difficult situation at Lisbon airport, but also at Faro airport.

SOURCE: US Embassy