EU Entry-Exit System (EES) Sparks Long Airport Queues Across Europe

The European Union's Entry-Exit System (EES), an automated border‑control scheme that records biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints for non‑EU nationals staying up to 90 days, has been fully operational for just over seven weeks. Early reports show queues of up to two hours at many Schengen external airports, causing missed flights and stranded passengers.

Airlines are responding. Ryanair warned customers that passport checks may involve facial scans and fingerprinting, urging travelers to arrive early. Wizz Air UK’s managing director advised passengers to get to the airport three hours before departure and to allow extra time between connections, noting that check‑in desks often open only two hours ahead of flights. Similar disruptions were reported on an easyJet service from Milan Linate to Manchester, where more than 100 passengers were left behind.

The system is already active in Spain and is slated to roll out across all external Schengen borders by April 2026. Critics argue the promised faster processing has instead generated longer waits, prompting airlines to adjust advice and seek clearer guidance from EU authorities.