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Travellers heading to Europe must brace for long queues and delays at airports, with wait times stretching up to three hours at border checks. The disruption follows the rollout of the European Union’s new Entry-Exit System (EES), which is now being fully implemented across Schengen countries. The delays are largely due to the introduction of the EES, which requires travellers from non-EU countries to register personal details and biometric data at border control. This additional step has significantly increased processing time, especially during peak travel hours.
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Which Countries And Airports Are Affected? Airports across several countries- including
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Greece- have reported long queues, with passengers waiting hours to clear passport control. Wait times can reach up to three hours, with some reports suggesting even longer delays during peak periods. In one instance, more than 100 passengers reportedly missed a flight from Milan due to extended queues at passport desks.
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Why Is The New System Slowing Things Down?
While the European Commission says each registration takes around 70 seconds, airport authorities claim it can take up to five minutes per passenger. The gap between estimates and real-world conditions is contributing to bottlenecks at busy airports. Olivier Jankovec, representing Airports Council International Europe, warned that the situation could become “unmanageable” during the summer travel rush. Airport bodies are urging authorities to allow temporary suspension of the system during excessive delays.
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What Should Travellers Do Before Flying?
Passengers are advised to arrive much earlier than usual, keep all documents ready and prepare for longer processing times at border control. With peak travel season approaching, delays are expected to persist as authorities work to streamline the new system.
