The European Union's new biometric Entry-Exit System (EES) is creating a 'hard risk' of six-hour queues for British travellers returning from the Schengen Area, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The system, which requires fingerprints and photographs from non-EU visitors upon entry and biometric cross-checks upon departure , has been implemented unevenly across member states, with some lacking hardware, software or staff.. IATA vice-president for Europe Rafael Schvartzman warned at the association's annual conference that waiting times of three to six hours are 'unacceptable' and have already caused passengers to lose flights.

Why six-hour waits are now a 'hard risk' for UK passengers

Schvartzman's 'hard risk' warning, delivered at IATA's annual conference, is not abstract. The source reports that on May 30, a Ryanair flight from Toulouse to Stansted departed without approximately 150 travellers because a shortage of border-control officers in France prevented them from reaching the gate on time. Earlier, about 100 easyJet customers flying from Milan Linate to Manchester missed their flight after being held up three hours at passport control during Easter. these incidents, as reported by IATA , show the system's practical impact even before peak summer travel.

Greece's exemption and the Booking.com suvey: two sides of the same coin

Greece announced on April 17 that it will not apply the EES to UK visitors during the summer, and travel agents reported a surge in bookings for Greek holidays as a result, according to the source. Meanwhile, a Booking.com survey cited in the report found that 59 percent of UK holidaymakers travelling to Europe this year anticipate delays linked to the new border checks, and nearly half fear missing their flights. The same poll showed 12 percent plan to arrive at least four hours early. These numbers illustrate both passenger anxiety and the competitive advantage countries like Greece gain by opting out of the system's current form.

Budget carriers caught between biometric queues and soaring jet fuel

The source notes that IATA chief Willie Walsh warned that rising jet-fuel prices, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, could push more airlines toward bankruptcy and accelerate sector consolidation. Budget carriers, which lack the higher-margin revenue streams of legacy airlines, are particularly vulnerable. Combining stricter border procedures with fuel cost pressure creates a challenging environment for airlines and passengers as summer travel peaks. Airports Council International reported that the longest delys—up to three hours—are already occurring in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy , the source says.

What flexibilities are European governments ignoring?

According to the source, a spokesperson for Airlines UK called on European governments to apply the flexibilities allowed under the EES regulations until the system is fully operational, stressing the need for a pragmatic approach to avoid large-scale disruption. Yet it remains unclear which states will adopt such flexibilities, when the necessary hardware and training will be deployed, and how many passengers will ultimately be affected. The report provides no comment from the European Commission or individual member states on their timelines for full implementation, leaving a critical information gap for travellers planning summer trips.