Ryanair has sounded a stark warning about "queue chaos" at EU airports this summer as it urges the European Commission to suspend new fingerprint checks, citing concerns that current infrastructure cannot handle the expected surge in passengers.
The low-cost airline, Europe's largest, is worried that its customers - including thousands of British holidaymakers - will face significant delays due to the Entry/Exit System (EES), which was introduced last October but has been plagued by operational issues.
Airlines for Europe (A4E) and Airports Council International (ACI) have written to the Commission calling for a full suspension of the system, initially until next summer or potentially for up to 12 months. They fear that airports are ill-equipped to handle the expected passenger volumes during peak season, leading to staff abuse as queues build.
Ryanair has specifically highlighted seven airports already experiencing significant disruptions, including Tenerife South and Palma in Spain, Milan Bergamo in Italy, Krakow in Poland, Paris Beauvais in France, Alicante, and Málaga. The airline's Chief Operating Officer, Neal McMahon, said passengers should not be used as "guinea pigs" for a "half-baked" system.
The European Commission has responded to the growing concerns by inviting airport and airline representatives to an urgent meeting next Tuesday. Industry bodies are expected to press for a delay in the full implementation of the EES until summer 2027.
For UK travellers heading to the Schengen area, it's essential to be aware that the EES applies to all non-EU citizens, including British nationals post-Brexit. While there are no new visa requirements for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), biometric registration is mandatory. Travellers should anticipate potential delays at border control and allow extra time for processing.
The EES has been used over 100 million times since its partial introduction, but some EU member states - including France, Italy, and Greece - have yet to fully implement it, despite being mandated to do so by September under EU rules. The Commission is now urging airports and airlines to work together to mitigate the impact of the system's rollout.