Airports Report Severe Delays Due to New EU Entry-Exit System
The Airports Council International (ACI) reports that the European Union's new Entry-Exit System (EES) is causing border check delays of up to three hours at major airports across France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Greece. The system, which fully launched on April 10, 2026, requires non-EU travelers to register biometric data and personal information. ACI Director Olivier Jankovec warned that current queue times are unmanageable and requested emergency powers to suspend EES checks during peak periods. While the European Commission maintains that the system is functioning well in most member states with an average registration time of 70 seconds, industry leaders dispute this. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary described the rollout as a shambles, citing queues of up to four hours, and urged a postponement until October. These operational disruptions coincide with growing concerns over potential jet fuel shortages in Europe due to geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The situation highlights significant friction between EU regulatory implementation and airport operational capacities ahead of the summer travel season.
Wire timeline
Airports Report Severe Delays Due to New EU Entry-Exit System
The Airports Council International (ACI) reports that the European Union's new Entry-Exit System (EES) is causing border check delays of up to three hours at major airports across France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Greece. The system, which fully launched on April 10, 2026, requires non-EU travelers to register biometric data and personal information. ACI Director Olivier Jankovec warned that current queue times are unmanageable and requested emergency powers to suspend EES checks during peak periods. While the European Commission maintains that the system is functioning well in most member states with an average registration time of 70 seconds, industry leaders dispute this. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary described the rollout as a shambles, citing queues of up to four hours, and urged a postponement until October. These operational disruptions coincide with growing concerns over potential jet fuel shortages in Europe due to geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The situation highlights significant friction between EU regulatory implementation and airport operational capacities ahead of the summer travel season.
The Guardian