Travelers heading to Europe this summer are being advised to arrive at airports up to four hours before their flights due to ongoing disruptions caused by the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES). The system, implemented on April 10, requires non-EU travelers to provide fingerprints and a facial image at border control, leading to significant delays and missed flights at several European airports.
Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of AirAdvisor, suggested that while four hours may not be a universal necessity, it could be a prudent precaution at certain European airports, especially for return journeys where new exit checks are implemented. "The greater risk is on the flight home, when British passengers must pass through the new exit checks at the European airport before reaching their gate," Radchenko stated. He added that at airports already experiencing queues or where multiple UK-bound flights depart close together, allocating three to four hours might be advisable.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of the Advantage Travel Partnership, echoed these concerns, advising travelers to allow between three and four hours for airport processing where possible. Border police in Europe have also recommended that British passengers arrive three to four hours early for international flights during peak holiday months, with one officer at Milan Malpensa Airport specifically advising three to four hours for those visiting Milan.
However, this advice has met with criticism. Paul Charles, founder and CEO of The PC Agency, called the four-hour recommendation "madness," pointing out that many airline check-in desks do not open that early and that excessive early arrivals could overwhelm airport facilities. He advocated for improved processing efficiency to maintain a two-hour check-in norm.
Helena Sheizon, immigration director at Kadmos Immigration, suggested the four-hour advice might be an overcorrection. She noted that waiting times can vary significantly based on the airport, destination, and staff familiarity with the new EES. She emphasized that passengers should check specific advice from their airline and departure airport, allow extra time for major hubs, and familiarize themselves with the new biometric requirements before traveling. Sheizon anticipates that queues may become more predictable as the system stabilizes but expects inconsistencies throughout the summer as airports, authorities, and travelers adapt.
Earlier this year, similar issues arose, with holidaymakers advised to arrive three hours before their flights home. Yvonne Moynihan, Wizz Air's boss, recommended that British travelers allow an additional hour on top of the standard two-hour pre-flight arrival time, advising passengers to carry water and portable chargers due to potential extended waits. The time taken for passport control has reportedly tripled at some European airports since the EES introduction.
The EES has already led to incidents of passengers missing flights. In one case in Milan on April 12, around 100 easyJet customers were stranded at Linate airport due to three-hour queues, causing a flight to depart half-empty after a 52-minute delay. Similarly, on April 16, a Ryanair flight from Milan Bergamo to Manchester departed without several passengers who were caught in EES-related delays. Reports indicated approximately 30 people were left behind, with one stranded passenger recounting waiting an hour and a half without movement before seeing their plane depart.