Airlines Urge Early Airport Arrival as EU's New Border System Causes Chaos
Major airlines including TUI, easyJet, Jet2, and British Airways have issued updated travel guidance, strongly recommending that British travellers arrive at airports as early as possible to mitigate disruptions caused by the European Union's newly implemented Entry/Exit System (EES). This digital border control initiative, which was fully rolled out on Friday, 10 April 2026, has led to significant travel chaos, with reports of lengthy queues, missed flights, and delays of up to three hours at both European and UK airports.
Understanding the Entry/Exit System (EES)
The EES requires all British citizens travelling to the Schengen area to create a digital record by registering biometric details such as fingerprints and a photograph upon their first arrival at an airport border within the zone. After this initial registration, the system remains valid for three years, but the process has introduced additional time at border controls. The UK government has acknowledged that the EES may take extra time per passenger, advising travellers to prepare for longer waits than usual.
Airline-Specific Advice for Passengers
TUI has issued a travel alert noting that some airports may experience longer queues, particularly during busy periods. They recommend allowing extra time when passing through border control, keeping essential medication in hand luggage, and heading straight to passport control after bag drop to avoid hold-ups. Bringing extra water for comfort is also suggested.
easyJet released an important update earlier this month, warning that airports across Europe could see longer queues at passport control due to the new EES checks. They advise passengers to plan their travel carefully, drop off bags as soon as check-in opens, proceed through security early, and go to the gate immediately when announced. Travellers should ensure they have all necessary documents, though no pre-arrival action is required for EES registration.
Jet2 has highlighted that there may be longer wait times at border control in some EU airports, especially during peak travel times. They estimate that EES registration takes about 1-2 minutes per person but caution that delays are outside their control. For travel back to the UK, they recommend arriving at the airport as early as possible and heading straight to security and passport control after check-in to reach the gate in good time.
British Airways provides general information on their website, explaining that passengers should allow extra time to register biometric details on their first EU entry. In response to queries on social media, they specify arrival times: two hours prior to departure for European short-haul flights, three hours for long-haul flights, and one hour for domestic UK flights.
Impact on Travellers and Recommendations
The rollout of the EES has resulted in gruelling delays and missed flights for thousands of holidaymakers. Airlines emphasize that while the system is designed to enhance border security, it has initially caused operational challenges. Passengers are urged to follow airline advice closely, arrive early at airports, and stay informed through official channels to navigate these disruptions effectively.
