The new biometric border controls for Britons and other third-party nationals entering the Schengen area is causing serious concern despite the entry/exit system having been gradually rolled out since last October in Spain and with the April 10 deadline for full implementation looming, the travel industry is not impressed.
Now, ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International), A4E (Airlines for Europe), and IATA (International Air Transport Association) has warned that the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to cause significant delays for passengers. Failing immediate action to provide sufficient flexibility, severe disruptions over the peak summer months are a real prospect, with queues potentially reaching 4 hours or more.
In a letter sent to Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, airports and airlines the group has highlighted persistent excessive waiting times of up to two hours at airport border control as mandated in the current stage of the EES progressive rollout (that 35% of all third country nationals entering the Schengen zone must be registered).
They have identified three critical issues that are compounding EES delays: chronic border control understaffing, unresolved technology issues, especially with regard to border automation, and the very limited uptake of the Frontex pre-registration app by Schengen states. They also warn that unless immediate action is taken to resolve these critical issues, mandatory EES registrations of all border crossings during the peak summer season, in particular in July and August, would result in waiting times of up to 4 hours or more.
They are urging the European Commission to confirm that Schengen Member States will retain the ability to partially or totally suspend EES until the end of October 2026. Under the progressive approach set out by Regulation 2025/1534, the suspension mechanisms would no longer be available beyond early July. Today, it remains unclear whether such suspension could still be activated with the necessary flexibility under the conditions set by the Schengen Border Control Code for the relaxation of border control checks.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E, and Thomas Reynaert, SVP External Affairs of IATA, said: “There is a complete disconnect between the perception of the EU institutions that EES is working well, and the reality, which is that non-EU travellers are experiencing massive delays and inconvenience. This must come to an end immediately. We need to be realistic about what will happen during the peak summer months, when traffic at Europe’s airports doubles. The rollout of EES must be flexible to react to operational realities. This is an absolute prerequisite for its success – and for safeguarding the reputation of the EU as an efficient, welcoming, and desirable destination.”
And today, it has been reported by The Connexion in France that the country wants to delay the EES until after the peak summer to avoid airport chaos. The Aéroports de Paris (ADP) group that manages both Paris Orly and Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airports said they risk ‘congestion’ if full rollout of the border security system takes place in April. But, for those wanting to avopid the EES, head to Cyprus. Cyprus remains unaffected by the new Schengen entry rules that are set to be fully implemented across Europe in April 2026.
As the island is not yet part of the Schengen Area, tourists travelling to or from Cyprus will not experience any changes to border control procedures, continuing with the same passport stamping system that has been in place for non-Schengen nationals. This provides tourists with the reassurance that their travel experience in Cyprus will remain as seamless as ever, keeping the island a top destination for those seeking both adventure and relaxation.