Spanish Airports to Install Separate Border Zones for Non-EU Travellers Including Brits
Major airports across Spain are preparing to introduce new, separate border control areas specifically for travellers from outside the European Union, including British citizens. This initiative comes in response to significant disruptions and chaos following the implementation of new European travel regulations, notably the Entry/Exit System (EES).
Malaga Airport's Major Expansion Plan
Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, one of Spain's busiest hubs, has unveiled a substantial €1.5 billion (£1.3 billion) expansion strategy. This comprehensive plan includes critical updates to the airport's infrastructure and facilities, with a key feature being the creation of a dedicated zone for non-Schengen passengers. This area will provide direct access to boarding gates for flights outside the Schengen Area, streamlining the journey for affected travellers.
The improvements are scheduled to take place between 2027 and 2031. A central component of this upgrade is a significantly enlarged security zone, which will incorporate a large, separate section exclusively for non-Schengen travellers. This group now includes British passport holders post-Brexit, meaning the process of navigating the airport could become considerably smoother and more efficient.
Widespread Implementation Across Spanish Hubs
This strategy is not limited to Malaga. Other key airports in the Balearic Islands, such as those in Menorca, Ibiza, and Palma, are set to adopt similar measures. Funding for these parallel upgrades has been secured, reflecting a coordinated national effort to address border processing challenges.
To finance these extensive developments, the Spanish airport operator AENA has announced a massive €13 billion (£11.4 billion) investment plan for its network of airports. According to AENA, the primary objective is to equip these hubs with the necessary capacity to manage anticipated increases in passenger traffic in the coming years. Furthermore, the investment aims to uphold the highest possible standards of safety, maintenance, and overall service quality for both passengers and airlines.
Addressing the Fallout from the New EES System
These infrastructural changes are a direct response to the operational difficulties caused by the introduction of the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES). The EES is an automated, digital border control system designed for non-EU nationals, including UK citizens, entering the Schengen Area. This zone encompasses most EU countries plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
Under the EES, travellers are now required to register biometric details, such as fingerprints and facial photographs, upon entry. Although the system's rollout officially began in October 2025, airports and seaports have been granted a more flexible timeline to achieve full implementation. However, the phased introduction has already led to significant delays and congestion at border controls.
Current Travel Chaos and Industry Warnings
The new system has been causing considerable disruptions for air passengers across Europe. Earlier this week, major industry bodies, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ACI Europe, and Airlines for Europe, urgently called on the EU to review the EES rollout. They warned that the current issues could trigger excessively long queues, particularly over the upcoming Easter holiday period.
These organisations reported that the phased implementation since October is already resulting in 'significant delays'. Long queues have been documented at numerous airports within the Schengen area, accompanied by technical malfunctions such as crashing automated gates, incidents of which have been observed at locations like Gran Canaria. Other major hubs, including Lisbon Airport, have also experienced lengthy waiting times for passengers.
British travellers have been specifically cautioned to prepare for potential queues lasting up to four hours at European airports during the busy summer months ahead. The planned separate border zones in Spain represent a proactive measure to mitigate these very delays and improve the travel experience for millions of non-EU visitors.
