Key Takeaways:
- Major European airports are experiencing waiting times of up to two hours due to the ongoing rollout of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES).
- Industry groups warn the situation will deteriorate further when 100% registration becomes mandatory on March 31st and the transition period ends on April 9th.
- Airports in Belgium, Greece, Portugal, and Italy are reporting some of the longest delays, leading to missed flights.
- The key safeguard of fully suspending the system during peak times will be removed after April 9th, raising fears for the summer travel season.
Widespread Delays and Missed Flights
The Airports Council International (ACI Europe) and Airlines for Europe (A4E) have issued a stark warning: the phased implementation of the EU's new biometric border system is causing severe congestion. Since March 10th, when registering 50% of non-EU travelers became mandatory, there has been a "continued deterioration in waiting times."
Queues are now regularly hitting two hours at peak times, with some airports reporting even longer. This is happening despite border authorities already using partial or full suspensions of the EES process to manage crowds.
A survey by ACI Europe reveals the scale of the problem:
- Airports across France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Switzerland, Belgium, and Germany have had to suspend EES checks.
- Major hubs like Brussels International, Milan Malpensa, and Frankfurt Airport are affected.
- The issue is not limited to large airports; facilities of all sizes are struggling.
"It is clear that the issue is affecting a wide range of airports across Europe and has even led to passengers missing flights," an ACI Europe spokesperson stated.
A Looming Crisis as Safeguards Disappear
The current problems are a precursor to a potentially larger crisis. The EES, which replaces manual passport stamps with digital registration of fingerprints and facial scans, is being introduced gradually. The deadline for full implementation across the 29-country Schengen area is April 9th, 2026.
Two critical milestones are now approaching:
- March 31st, 2026: Registration of 100% of non-EU nationals becomes mandatory.
- April 9th, 2026: The official transition period ends.
This second date is particularly crucial. From that point, member states will no longer be able to fully suspend the EES system in response to operational pressures. This removes the primary tool currently used to prevent gridlock during travel peaks like Easter.
"With the next critical milestones approaching... airports and airlines warn that the situation risks deteriorating further," the industry groups said.
Systemic Problems Behind the Queues
The organizations point to several persistent issues that are compounding delays:
- Border control staff shortages
- Technical and maintenance issues with self-service kiosks
- Limited use of automated border control gates
- Concerns over the reliability of the central IT system
- Lack of availability of the EES pre-registration app, currently only deployed in Sweden and Portugal
These foundational problems suggest the delays are not merely teething issues but point to deeper systemic challenges in managing the new biometric regime.
Calls for Flexibility and Traveler Advice
In response, ACI Europe and A4E are calling on the European Commission and EU member states to extend the possibility of full or partial suspensions throughout the entire 2026 summer season and, if necessary, into the winter.
The Commission has indicated some flexibility remains. A spokesperson noted in January that after the rollout, member states could still partially suspend EES operations for an additional 90 days, with a possible 60-day extension to cover the summer peak.
"This will give Member States the necessary tools to manage potential extended queues," said Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert.
Governments are already advising travelers to prepare for disruption. Last week, the UK government urged British tourists heading to the Schengen area over Easter to allow significant additional time for border checks and to follow their travel operator's guidance closely, especially if they have connecting flights.
The EES is designed to strengthen external border security by digitally recording the entry and exit of non-EU visitors, replacing passport stamps and helping enforce the 90/180-day rule. However, its rocky implementation is now testing the balance between security and the smooth functioning of Europe's borders.