Airports, Airlines Warn Of Summer Delays Over EU Entry/Exit System | By Joojo Maapa
Airports and airline bodies in Europe have warned that the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to cause significant passenger delays, cautioning that severe disruption during the peak summer travel period is a real prospect.
ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International), Airlines for Europe (A4E), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said queues at airport border control could reach four hours or more if urgent corrective action is not taken.
In a joint letter addressed to Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, the organisations highlighted persistent excessive waiting times of up to two hours at airport border control under the current phase of the EES progressive rollout. At this stage, 35% of all third-country nationals entering the Schengen zone must be registered.
The groups identified three key factors compounding the delays: chronic understaffing at border control, unresolved technology issues — particularly relating to border automation — and the very limited uptake of the Frontex pre-registration app by Schengen states.
They warned that unless immediate action is taken, mandatory EES registration of all border crossings during the peak summer season, especially in July and August, would result in waiting times of up to four hours or more.
The organisations also urged the European Commission to confirm that Schengen Member States will retain the ability to partially or totally suspend EES implementation until the end of October 2026. Under the progressive approach set out by Regulation 2025/1534, suspension mechanisms would no longer be available beyond early July, and it remains unclear whether sufficient flexibility exists under the Schengen Border Control Code.
In a joint statement, ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec, A4E Managing Director Ourania Georgoutsakou, and IATA SVP External Affairs Thomas Reynaert said there is a “complete disconnect” between EU institutions’ perception of the system and the operational reality, warning that flexibility is essential to safeguard the EU’s reputation as an efficient and welcoming destination.
Airports, Airlines Warn Of Summer Delays Over EU Entry/Exit System | AviationGhana.com
