European Aviation Leaders Warn of Critical Border Delays Under New Entry-Exit System

Major aviation groups in Europe are sounding an alarm about the new Entry/Exit System, known as the EES. They warn that the system has reached a "critical point" that could cause chaos for international travelers. These organizations represent airports and airlines across the continent. They are worried that the new rules are not ready for the high number of people traveling this summer. The warning comes in an open letter sent to the European Commission, which oversees the rules for the European Union. The letter explains that border delays could reach up to five hours during the busiest travel times. This would affect millions of people flying into and out of the Schengen Area. Aviation leaders say these delays are already starting to disrupt flight schedules and tourism plans. The EES is a new automated system designed to track travelers from outside the European Union. It replaces the old method of stamping passports by hand with a digital record. The system collects biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial scans, from every visitor. While the goal is to improve security, the technology is proving difficult to manage at a large scale. Olivier Jankovec, the Director General of ACI Europe, is one of the key figures calling for changes. ACI Europe represents over 500 airports in 55 countries. Jankovec and other leaders are asking the European Commission to pause the system during peak travel periods. They believe a temporary suspension is the only way to prevent massive lines at border checkpoints. The aviation sector is joined by groups like the International Air Transport Association, or IATA. These groups argue that many airports do not have enough staff or space to handle the new biometric checks. Because the process takes longer than a simple passport stamp, even small delays can quickly grow into hours-long waits. This creates a bottleneck effect that ripples through the entire airport. The timing of these problems is especially difficult because of the current travel boom in Southern Europe. Recent data shows that Europe captures about one-third of all global leisure travel spending. Countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece are seeing record numbers of visitors this summer. If the border system fails, it could hurt the economies of these nations that rely heavily on tourism. Travelers from countries like the United Kingdom and the United States are among those most affected by the EES. Since they are not part of the EU, they must go through the new digital registration process. Many of these travelers are unaware of the new requirements until they arrive at the airport. This lack of awareness adds to the confusion and slows down the lines even further. The European Commission has previously defended the EES as a necessary step for modernizing borders. They argue that the system will eventually make travel safer and more efficient by catching people who overstay their visas. However, aviation bodies say the current rollout has been poorly timed. They point out that the infrastructure at many border crossings is simply not ready for the digital shift. In addition to the EES, travelers are also waiting for the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or ETIAS. While EES tracks entry and exit, ETIAS will be a pre-travel permit similar to the American ESTA. The launch of ETIAS has already been postponed until late 2026 to avoid adding more stress to the system. Aviation leaders want the same kind of flexibility for the EES rules. The impact of these delays goes beyond just waiting in line. When passengers are stuck at border control, they often miss their connecting flights. This forces airlines to rebook thousands of people, leading to more cancellations and delays across the network. It also puts a heavy burden on airport staff who must manage frustrated crowds in cramped terminals. Some European cities are already looking for ways to manage the high volume of tourists. For example, Madrid and Barcelona have launched new programs to attract visitors to different parts of their cities. They hope that spreading people out will reduce the pressure on main transport hubs. However, these local efforts cannot fix the technical problems at the international border gates. The aviation groups are calling for a pragmatic approach to the new border rules. They suggest that the European Commission should allow border guards to switch back to manual checks when lines get too long. This would act as a safety valve to keep people moving during the busiest hours of the day. Without this flexibility, they fear the summer travel season could end in frustration for millions. As the debate continues, travelers are advised to arrive at airports much earlier than usual. Travel experts suggest checking the latest border requirements before heading to the airport. Being prepared with the right documents can help, but it may not prevent the long waits caused by the new system. The situation remains a major challenge for the global travel industry in 2026.