The new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is causing significant travel disruption across Europe, with long queues and missed flights. Ryanair is urging governments to temporarily suspend the system until September to alleviate pressure during the peak summer season.

EU Entry/Exit System Causes Widespread Disruption

The rollout of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) across Europe last month has been met with significant disruption, causing lengthy airport queues and widespread chaos for travellers. This automated digital border system applies to non-EU nationals, including UK citizens, entering the Schengen Area – encompassing most of the EU, plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

The system requires the registration of biometric data such as fingerprints and photographs. Implementation across 29 European countries has resulted in considerable problems, with holidaymakers reporting extensive delays and even missed flights.

Ryanair Calls for Temporary Suspension

Ryanair has responded to the ongoing issues by calling for a temporary suspension of the EES in all participating countries until September. The airline argues this would alleviate pressure during the peak summer travel season.

In a letter to the governments of the 29 nations, Ryanair highlighted the lack of preparedness in certain countries, specifically citing Spain. The airline stated that despite over three years of awareness regarding the April 10, 2026, implementation date, Spanish authorities failed to ensure sufficient staffing, system readiness, or the installation of adequate kiosks.

Spanish Airports Facing 'Breaking Point'

Reports from Alicante Airport, a major Spanish hub, indicate the system is pushing the airport to its 'breaking point' due to a combination of EES demands and staff shortages. Similar disruptions have been reported at Málaga Airport.

Travellers Stranded and Flights Missed

A British tourist, Michelle Maguire, and her daughter were stranded for 24 hours at Málaga Airport after missing their flight back to Liverpool, incurring a £1,000 loss. Waiting times are consistently exceeding one to two hours at numerous airports, including Málaga, Alicante, Lanzarote, Tenerife South, Gran Canaria, Reus, and Fuerteventura.

Italy and France Also Experiencing Issues

Italy is also experiencing significant issues, with particularly long queues reported in Bergamo, Malpensa, Fiumicino, Ciampino, Venice, Turin, Palermo, Pisa, and Naples. France is not immune, with delays at Beauvais, Marseille, and Nantes airports.

Ryanair Attributes Disruptions to System Flaws

Ryanair attributes the disruptions to a combination of staff shortages and system outages, emphasizing that governments are attempting to implement an incomplete system during the busiest travel period. Neal McMahon, Ryanair’s Chief Operations Officer, stated that passengers are enduring hours-long queues and missing flights as a result.

He points to EU legislation (Regulation (EU) 2025/1534) which allows for the suspension of the EES and suggests that governments follow Greece’s example by postponing implementation until September. The airline believes this would provide a smoother airport experience for travellers, particularly families with young children.

Mitigation Efforts Underway

Some countries are beginning to address the challenges. In Spain, AENA, the airport authority, has requested staff assistance for vulnerable passengers and families to bypass queues. While Barcelona-El Prat Airport has experienced significant delays, with reports of three-hour waits and a lack of support from staff, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport appears to be managing the EES more effectively, with shorter queues and priority lines for children, although some users report issues with machine sensitivity.

The situation remains fluid, and the call for a temporary suspension of the EES highlights the urgent need for a more coordinated and effective implementation strategy to minimize disruption for travellers.