EU Ends Border Check Flexibility Increasing Airport Wait Times

Wait times at European Union airports are expected to rise starting September 6, 2026, as the flexibility allowance for the Entry/Exit System (EES) expires. The EES, rolled out in April, requires fingerprints and photographs from non-EU travelers, including British citizens, a process that has already caused significant border delays.

Currently, EU member states can pause EES checks during exceptional circumstances to prevent excessive queues. The European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders (Frontex) has declined to renew this allowance despite requests from industry bodies. Some airlines, including Air France-KLM, have previously disabled the system at hubs in Paris and Amsterdam to manage summer crowds.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary criticized the rules but warned that the airline will not delay flights for passengers stuck at passport control. He stated that the priority remains passengers present at the boarding gate when boarding begins.