Key Takeaways:
- Aviation and airport associations warn that the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is causing five-hour queues at airports across Europe.
- They demand a temporary suspension until September to prevent half-empty flights and a summer of travel chaos for British holidaymakers.
- The EU has allowed limited six-hour windows for suspension, but critics say this is insufficient amid infrastructure and staffing shortages.
Brussels Faces Mounting Pressure Over Post-Brexit Border Rules
Europe is bracing for a turbulent summer as the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) —fully implemented since April 2026—sparks widespread delays at airports. Global aviation bodies, including Airports Council International, Airlines for Europe, and the International Air Transport Association, have sent an urgent open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Five-Hour Queues and Half-Empty Planes
The letter warns that passengers are already enduring queues of up to five hours during peak traffic, with families with young children, elderly travelers, and those with reduced mobility hit hardest. The situation has escalated to the point where airlines are forced to depart with half-empty planes because passengers are stuck in border control.
"Waiting times at border control have increased significantly, now reaching up to 5 hours during peak traffic periods. This is not an issue confined to Europe's largest hubs; smaller airports serving major tourism destinations are equally affected."
In April, an EasyJet flight from Milan Linate to Manchester departed without around 100 passengers who were trapped in three-hour queues. Some travelers reported vomiting and fainting due to the strain.
What Is the EES System?
Since April 10, 2026, the EU requires non-EU citizens, including British nationals post-Brexit, to provide biometric details (fingerprints and facial images) when entering the Schengen Area. This digital system is meant to enhance security but has overwhelmed underprepared airports.
Brussels has allowed Schengen member states to temporarily suspend the system for six-hour windows during peak times. However, border forces must reapply every six hours if problems persist and can only do so reactively, not proactively.
Aviation Chiefs Demand Full Suspension Until September
The aviation coalition is calling for a more robust solution: allowing hubs to suspend the EES and revert to standard Schengen border checks until at least September. This would give authorities time to fix infrastructure and staffing gaps—the root causes of the delays.
"We have a responsibility to warn that this would result in a significant worsening of an already very difficult situation for passengers," the letter states. "This is undermining Europe's reputation."
Some reports already indicate that international travelers are reconsidering trips to Europe due to fears of excessive border delays.
Failed Exemptions for Britons
Greece, Portugal, and Italy had previously proposed exemptions for British tourists this summer, but the EU Commission rebuffed these plans. Airlines UK, representing carriers like BA, easyJet, and Ryanair, urged the Commission and member states to take a pragmatic look at the timeline.
What’s Next?
As the peak summer season approaches, the clock is ticking. The EU Commission maintains that the system "aims to improve security while keeping travel smooth," but critics argue the current approach is unsustainable. With queues already spilling outside terminals and passengers missing flights, the pressure is on Brussels to act before the chaos deepens.
This is a developing story. For travelers, especially British holidaymakers, checking airport updates and allowing extra time for border checks is essential.