Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye has urged EU chiefs to take responsibility for problems with a new border system that is leaving holidaymakers waiting in long queues at some airports. He stressed that the system is not working as fluently as it should as millions of British families prepare to head abroad for summer breaks.
Delays at popular European airports
Passengers have faced lengthy queues at airports in Rome, Palma de Mallorca, Corfu, Malaga, Faro and other popular European destinations, according to videos on social media. Travellers are being urged to arrive at EU airports up to four hours in advance.
The delays are due to the new digital Entry Exit System (EES), which requires non-EU citizens entering the Schengen area to register fingerprints and a photo, often using automated kiosks. Details are checked when people leave. The system has been phased in since October but continues to face problems.
Calls for flexibility
Mr Woldbye told The Standard: “The EU has now put in place more flexibility for the airports to suspend the ES for periods if the pressure is too high. That's a good decision.” However, he noted there is still a risk of longer waiting times when entering EU countries.
“We are, of course, encouraging both the UK government and the EU to make this as flexible as all possible,” he added. “Nobody wants to stand in a long queue getting into and starting their vacation. The system is not working as fluently as it should be doing, and the EU needs to take responsibility for that.”
Airports struggling with EES
Earlier this month, Ryanair identified seven popular European airports where passengers were suffering long delays due to the new EU border checks: Tenerife South, Palma, Alicante and Malaga in Spain; Milan Bergamo in Italy; Krakow in Poland; and Paris Beauvais in France.
Ivan Bassato, chief aviation officer of Rome's Fiumicino airport, said the time it takes Brits to get through borders has risen from seven minutes to 20 minutes.
EasyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis said border control queues due to EES checks have been better than feared for the start of school holidays, as countries have been given flexibility on how to implement requirements at times of stress. He is calling for this flexibility to be extended past September to cover the often busy half-term holiday season in October.
Advice for passengers
Mr Woldbye urged people flying out of Heathrow to allow plenty of time: two hours for European flights and longer for more far-flung destinations. Pressed on what allowing an extra half hour could mean, he explained: “It makes a huge difference because it gives you that certainty that you don't have to rush. People rushing is never a positive experience.”
He was speaking as Heathrow announced a record 40 million passengers used the airport in the first half of 2026, with revenue up 0.3% to £1,729 million.
Third runway plans
Heathrow also insisted its plans for a third runway were on track despite the change of government. Mr Woldbye declined to comment on whether Andy Burnham’s government may view expansion differently than Sir Keir’s administration, but said: “This is not going to attract any investments away from the North. The monies invested in the third runway at Heathrow are private. They would go to another country. They wouldn't go elsewhere in the UK. So in my view, actually, this rather supports the Government in its ability to invest in the regions outside London because we invest in the third runway in London, which benefits all of the country.”
