Travelers heading to the European Union are being warned of potential significant delays due to the ongoing rollout of the bloc's new Entry/Exit System (EES). The system, which began implementation in October and is now fully operational, requires the registration of biometric information, a process that has led to increased wait times at border controls.
During the initial rollout phase, queues were reported at various airports during peak travel periods. While the system's performance has varied, with some airports experiencing smooth operations, others have seen waits extending to several hours. Airline trade bodies, such as IATA, have cautioned that queues could reach as long as six hours in some locations. Travel experts and industry representatives attribute these delays to issues with the technology itself, as well as insufficient border staffing levels. Reports have also emerged of travelers needing to register their biometric data multiple times.
The EES will affect travel for UK passengers entering 29 EU countries. The Wizz Air UK managing director has advised passengers to arrive at airports three hours before their departing flights to account for potential delays. Some passengers have already missed their flights due to the extended wait times for EES checks, preventing them from reaching their departure gates on time. The willingness of airlines to hold flights for passengers delayed by these checks varies, with some carriers indicating they will wait where possible, while others, like Ryanair, have stated they will not hold flights.