Key Takeaways:
- EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is causing five-hour queues at airports, with flights departing half-empty.
- Major aviation groups (ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe, IATA) urge the European Commission to allow temporary suspension of the system when border capacity is overwhelmed.
- World Travel and Tourism Council warns up to 41 million arrivals and $45.4bn in visitor spending could be at risk.
- The European Commission acknowledges concerns but says impact has been “limited” and calls for an urgent meeting.
EES at a ‘Critical Point’
The European Union’s new digital border check system has thrown European travel into chaos. In an open letter published on Wednesday, the top representative bodies for Europe’s airports and airlines—Airports Council International Europe, Airlines for Europe, and IATA—declared that delays caused by the Entry/Exit System (EES) have reached a “critical point.”
Passengers are reportedly facing five-hour queues at passport control, and departure gates have closed with planes only half full. The system, designed to replace passport stamping by recording biometric data (fingerprints, facial images) and entry/exit details, has been rolled out progressively since October 2025 and declared “fully operational” across the Schengen Area in April 2026.
“The current implementation of the EES is creating severe operational consequences, disrupting passengers and putting border authorities, airports and airlines under unsustainable pressure,” the groups wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They urged “immediate intervention before the situation deteriorates further during the peak summer travel season.”
What’s Causing the Delays?
The core issue? Understaffed border facilities and a lack of automated infrastructure. While the system works well in theory—using digital records to speed up checks—border authorities in many member states simply don’t have enough guards or working kiosks. This has led to bottlenecks, especially at major hubs like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam.
- Five-hour waits reported at several airports, with passengers missing connecting flights.
- Some flights have departed with only half their passengers on board, as the rest were stuck in EES queues.
- Travelers from non-EU countries, particularly those from the US and Asia, are hit hardest as they require full EES processing.
The Tourism Fallout
With European airports expecting 40 million more passengers in July and August than in the previous two months, the situation could spiral. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) put its weight behind the letter, warning of a potential loss of 41 million arrivals and $45.4bn in visitor spending if delays become routine.
“If lengthy delays become accepted practice, travellers will look elsewhere,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO. “Europe cannot afford to compromise its competitiveness or the experience it offers millions of visitors.”
The letter also highlights that the disruption “undermining the reputation of the EU and European tourism.” Reports already suggest some international travellers are reconsidering trips to Europe solely because of the border delays.
What the Aviation Groups Demand
To prevent a summer meltdown, the industry groups are calling for immediate flexibility for member states. Specifically, they demand that the European Commission allow a “complete suspension” of EES whenever passenger numbers exceed the “operational capacity” of border facilities.
“Without additional flexibility, existing challenges will inevitably intensify. This would result in a significant worsening of an already very difficult situation for passengers.”
They also want accelerated deployment of automated border control solutions and more training for border guards. The message is clear: fix the system now, or risk a travel nightmare.
Brussels Responds
A European Commission spokesperson said the body would respond “shortly” and that the impact has been “limited” at most airports. However, they placed the onus on member states: “They need to ensure necessary operational capacity—including sufficient numbers of border guards, appropriate infrastructure, and automated border control solutions.”
The Commission has called for an urgent meeting with member states and industry representatives in the coming days. But for travelers and airlines, time is ticking.
What This Means for Travelers
If you’re planning to fly through the Schengen Area this summer, brace for delays. Here’s what you can do:
- Arrive early – at least 4 hours before departure, especially if you’re a non-EU citizen.
- Check airport apps for real-time queue information where available.
- Consider alternative routes – smaller airports with better-staffed borders may be faster.
- Stay informed – the situation is fluid, and member states may temporarily suspend EES if pressure mounts.
The bottom line: The EU’s digital border experiment is straining under real-world pressure. Unless Brussels and national governments act fast, the summer of 2026 could be remembered as the season of airport chaos.