IT systems used by Germany’s Federal Police at the country’s airports were experiencing major issues on Friday, German tabloid Bild reported.
A spokesperson for Frankfurt airport showed reports to the Reuters News Agency, saying: “Lately there is a national PC outage,” adding that the cause is still unknown.
Bild later reported that the problem had been fixed after several hours and the federal police’s system was once again fully functioning, citing a federal police spokesperson.
According to several reports, passengers are recently experiencing long lines to enter the country after the problem.
The agents will have to make a passport and visa checks manually, which has led to “a building on hold and arrears,” said a federal police spokesman.
Flights from within Europe’s visa-free Schengen Area are experiencing fewer issues, according to the spokesperson.
Public news broadcaster WDR said the challenge affected passengers arriving in Germany from non-Schengen countries, passengers had to on planes in some cases.
A spokesman for Düsseldorf airport showed that the airport faced problems.
“We can verify that since about 14 hours (1300 GMT) today, there have been disturbances for the edge of flights to and from the non-Schengen zone,” he said, adding that passengers are receiving water.
Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest hub, said its flight schedule is currently unaffected by the problem, but added entry into Germany may be delayed for some.
The Berlin-Brandenburg airport spokesman said that even if they delight in delays, there is no order to prevent other people from entering or save airplanes to land.
FTM/AB (DPA, Reuters)