Ryanair has urged 29 European countries to temporarily suspend the new Entry/Exit System (EES) after it caused widespread disruption at airports, with long queues and passengers missing flights. The budget airline wrote to governments calling for a suspension until September to manage peak summer travel.
EES Rollout Causes Chaos
The EES, an automated digital border system for non-EU nationals including UK citizens, was fully rolled out last month. It requires travellers to register biometric details such as fingerprints and photographs when entering the Schengen Area, which includes most EU countries plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Since its introduction, holidaymakers have faced long queues and delays at airports across 29 countries.
Ryanair's Chief Operations Officer, Neal McMahon, said: 'Governments across Europe are trying to implement a half-baked computer system in the middle of the peak travel season, and passengers are paying the price, being forced to endure queues of several hours at passport control and, in some cases, missing their flights.'
Spain Particularly Affected
Spain has been hit especially hard. Ryanair criticised Spanish authorities for failing to ensure adequate staffing, system readiness, or kiosk installation despite knowing about the system for over three years. Alicante Airport, one of Spain's busiest hubs, is reportedly at 'breaking point' due to the EES and staff shortages, according to the Olive Press. Málaga Airport has also seen severe delays, with one British holidaymaker, Michelle Maguire, missing her flight to Liverpool and eventually arriving 24 hours late at a cost of £1,000.
Ryanair noted waiting times of one to two hours at many airports, including Málaga, Alicante, Lanzarote, Tenerife South, Gran Canaria, Reus, and Fuerteventura in Spain; Bergamo, Malpensa, Fiumicino, Ciampino, Venice, Turin, Palermo, Pisa, and Naples in Italy; and Beauvais, Marseille, and Nantes in France.
Some Countries Take Action
In response, some countries have introduced measures to ease congestion. Spain's airport authority, AENA, has asked staff to help vulnerable passengers and families with young children avoid queues. At Barcelona-El Prat Airport, passengers have reported queues of over three hours. However, Madrid-Barajas Airport has managed queues better, with priority lines for children, though some machines are reportedly sensitive.
Greece has temporarily suspended fingerprinting and facial scans to help holidaymakers, a move seen as protecting its vital tourism sector. The Greek National Tourism Organisation said the decision would ensure a smoother arrival experience and reduce waiting times. With no end date for the exemption, other Mediterranean countries may follow suit.
Travel experts suggest the disruption could influence holiday plans. ABTA noted that Europe is seeing increased interest due to the war in the Middle East, and Greece is expected to be the fifth most popular destination for Britons this summer.
