Key Takeaways:
- EU chief Ursula von der Leyen acknowledges EES rollout is far from perfect.
- Airports and airlines report wait times of up to five hours, urging action to avoid summer chaos.
- Since October 2025, 108 million people have been processed, with 44,000 denied entry.
- Industry calls for temporary suspension of checks during peak traffic, but Brussels pushes back.
EU Admits EES Border Checks Still Need 'Lot of Work'
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has admitted there is "still quite a lot of work to do" to resolve issues with the new Entry/Exit System (EES), which has been blamed for severely disrupting air travel across the continent. Speaking on Friday, she acknowledged the rollout was far from perfect, as airports and airlines demand urgent action.
The EES, introduced last October, replaces manual passport stamping for non-EU travellers entering the 27-nation bloc. It records personal and biometric data to track overstays and refusals of entry. The system is used by all Schengen area countries, except Ireland and Cyprus, plus Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.
'Critical Point': Industry Warnings
This week, European airports and airlines warned that the EES was causing wait times of up to five hours, describing the situation as a "critical point." With European airports expecting to handle 40 million additional passengers this summer, they urged the EU to act now to prevent travel chaos.
- The appeal was backed by:
- ACI Europe (airports group)
- A4E (association of European airlines)
- IATA (International Air Transport Association, representing over 360 airlines)
These groups called for countries to be able to fully suspend the new checks during periods of heavy traffic.
Mixed Results So Far
Despite the criticism, an EU official noted that since October 2025, 108 million people have entered or exited the EU with the new system. Of these, 44,000 people were prevented entry — the vast majority due to lack of the right travel document or visa.
The European Commission has scheduled a meeting with industry representatives on July 7 to take stock of the situation. However, Brussels has also pushed back at the criticism, describing the impact as limited at most European airports and reminding that member states agreed to the reform.
"If you're unhappy, then join the Schengen area," the EU official said.
What This Means for Travellers
For now, travellers should expect potential delays at EU borders, especially during peak summer months. The EES is here to stay, but technical fixes are still being negotiated. Keep travel documents ready and allow extra time at airports.
Stay tuned for updates on the July 7 meeting, which could shape the system's future.