EU's Entry/Exit System Causes Widespread Airport Chaos and Flight Delays

The European Union fully implemented the Entry/Exit System (EES) on April 10, 2026, replacing manual passport stamping with digital biometric registration for non-EU and non-Schengen nationals. The system, which became mandatory across 29 countries, requires first-time travelers to provide fingerprints and facial scans to monitor visa overstays and enhance security. Since a phased rollout began in October 2025, the European Commission reports over 52 million registered crossings, 27,000 entry refusals, and nearly 700 security flags.

The transition has caused severe operational friction. Airports Council International reported wait times of two to four hours at major hubs in Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal. At Milan Linate Airport, over 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight to Manchester on April 12 because they were unable to clear border control before the crew reached legal operating hour limits. Other disruptions occurred at Paris Charles de Gaulle and throughout Portugal, where authorities temporarily suspended biometric collection at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports to mitigate congestion.

Industry leaders have sharply criticized the rollout. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary described the process as a "shit show and a shambles," and the airline threatened to redirect capacity away from Malta due to persistent queues. While Greece initially announced exemptions for British passport holders—leading to a surge in UK bookings—it later clarified that suspensions are only permitted at specific entry points during peak traffic. Aviation groups and airlines are now urging the European Commission to allow full suspensions of the EES until September to avoid further chaos during the peak summer travel season.