New EU Entry-Exit System Causes Lengthy Airport Delays
Airports across Europe are experiencing significant queues after the European Union fully introduced its new Entry-Exit System (EES), with some travellers reportedly waiting up to three hours at border control.
The EES, which came into full operation on 10 April across the Schengen Area, requires visitors from non-EU countries to provide personal details and biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans when entering or leaving participating countries. The system applies in most EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Airports Council International (ACI), which represents airport operators, has warned that the additional checks are already causing delays in countries including France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Greece. Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI Europe, said the situation could become “unmanageable” as passenger numbers increase during the busy summer travel season.
According to ACI, the registration process can take several minutes per traveller, significantly slowing passport control queues. The European Commission, however, maintains that the system is functioning effectively overall, stating that the average registration time is about 70 seconds. Officials acknowledged that a small number of member states have encountered technical issues but said these are being addressed.
Early disruption has already been reported. More than 100 passengers were recently unable to board a flight from Milan to Manchester after being delayed at passport control. In response, airport authorities have asked the EU for flexibility to temporarily suspend EES checks when waiting times become excessive.
The new system has been introduced gradually since October and has already recorded tens of millions of border crossings, including thousands of refused entries and several hundred individuals flagged as potential security risks.
Concerns about delays come at a time when Europe’s aviation sector is also monitoring potential jet fuel supply risks linked to tensions affecting shipping routes in the Middle East. Industry representatives have warned that disruption could create shortages within weeks.
Some airline executives have criticised the EES rollout, arguing that it has created unnecessary congestion and should have been postponed until later in the year. EU officials, however, say responsibility for smooth implementation rests with individual member states.
