New EU Border Checks Trigger Travel Chaos
British holidaymakers travelling across Europe are experiencing significant airport delays, with some passengers reportedly missing flights as the EU’s new border control system continues to create congestion.
Travellers have voiced frustration over overcrowded terminals and extended waits at passport control when entering or leaving countries within the Schengen area. For many, trips intended to be relaxing have instead become stressful experiences marked by uncertainty and missed departures.
One traveller, Clarissa Ward, described the situation on Facebook after encountering what she called the “longest line” she had ever seen. She said the queues affected a wide range of passengers, including elderly travellers and families with young children, adding that many missed connecting flights and departures, including herself.
According to Ward, airport staff prioritised only passengers flying with TAP Air Portugal who were moments away from missing their flights, while others were left waiting with little assistance. She noted that similar scenes have reportedly played out across several European cities since the system’s rollout.
Another passenger, Craig Hackett, said he arrived at the airport three hours before departure and checked in luggage at the earliest opportunity, only to encounter an exceptionally long queue before reaching the boarding area.
Hackett claimed that he and at least 15 other passengers missed their flight despite arriving with sufficient time. He criticised the lack of support, saying there was no fast-track system or meaningful assistance for travellers at risk of missing departures.
He also questioned the practicality of flights departing without passengers who were already inside the airport but unable to reach the gate in time, raising concerns about customer service, operational efficiency and environmental impact.
The disruption follows the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which officially came into effect on October 12, 2025. Under the new rules, non-EU visitors, including British travellers, must provide fingerprints and a facial photograph when entering or leaving the Schengen area.
The Schengen zone, made up of 29 European countries, represents the world’s largest area of passport-free travel. EU authorities say the EES is intended to strengthen border security and curb illegal migration.
As delays continue, some airlines have called for governments to pause the system during peak travel periods. Ryanair publicly urged Portuguese authorities to suspend EES operations until after the busy summer season, arguing that border wait times—particularly in Lisbon, where queues have reportedly reached two and a half hours—risk causing major disruption for passengers and airlines alike.
