Ryanair has issued a travel alert warning passengers about potential delays at airports this summer. The delays are attributed to the new Entry/Exit System (EES) now operational in EU countries.
What Is the EES?
The EES is a digitised biometric system replacing traditional passport stamps. It requires travellers to scan their passports, provide fingerprints, and have a facial image taken at passport control. This system applies to all non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss passport holders, including British citizens, flying into or out of the Schengen Area.
Affected Routes
Commonly affected routes include flights between Schengen countries and destinations such as the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel. Due to more extensive checks, longer queues may form, especially at busy airports, both at passport control and before security.
Ryanair's Advice
Ryanair advises affected passengers to arrive at the airport early to allow for queues, have all travel documents ready, and follow signs marked 'EES / Passport Control'. The airline stresses that if passengers are denied entry, it is due to EU policy, not Ryanair's rules.
EU, EEA, and Swiss passport holders are not affected, nor are passengers flying within the Schengen Area, for example from Spain to Italy or Germany to France.
Background
Ryanair has been a vocal critic of the EES following reports of long delays at airports in Milan, Porto, and Lisbon. Greece has confirmed it will delay full implementation of the system for British visitors until after the peak summer months.
The EES is in place at all Schengen Area external borders from 10 April 2026. The Schengen Area comprises 29 European countries, primarily in the European Union.
