Introduction
European airports are facing mounting pressure as the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) enters a new and critical phase. Consequently, travel groups and airports are urging the EU for the swift implementation of contingency measures.
Specifically, ABTA and ACI emphasize potentially worse delays if there is no flexibility in the system. Meanwhile, Portugal has restarted its EES tests at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport following a recent suspension.
In tandem, these measures only stress the growing tension between border security enforcement and operational challenges.
What the EES Must Do
The Entry/Exit System, known as EES, replaces passport stamping across the Schengen Area. Correspondingly, it records biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, for non-EU travelers.
Overall, the EU says the system improves security and prevents overstays. However, implementation has proven uneven since its October 2025 launch. According to the European Commission, EES will become fully mandatory by April 10, 2026.
Until then, border authorities must manage mixed manual and digital processes. Consequently, airports remain exposed to bottlenecks during peak travel periods.
Urge for Contingency Measures
ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) has urged EU border authorities to act pragmatically as EES expands. Specifically, the group wants a wider use of contingency measures already allowed under EU law.
In particular, these include the temporary suspension of biometric checks during excessive congestion. According to ABTA, early EES trials have produced “highly inconsistent passenger experiences.” Some travelers clear borders smoothly, while others face waits exceeding two hours. Therefore, ABTA advises travelers to arrive earlier and monitor airline guidance closely.
In a statement, ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer said:
“As more places introduce the system, and more passengers are processed through it, there is a greater risk that people will face queues and delays. It’s important that travelers are prepared for this as they prepare to go through passport control.
“We are also urging border authorities to do all they can to minimize delays,” Tanzer added. “They have contingency measures at their disposal – such as standing down the system or limiting checks – and we want them to be utilized to help manage the flow of people. Where problems have been experienced so far, some of these could have been avoided if the contingency measures had been applied.”
In 2024 alone, Europe accounted for more than half of international arrivals from across the globe.
Serious EES Hazards
Airports share many of ABTA’s concerns. Accordingly, ACI (Airports Council International) Europe has called for an urgent review of the EES rollout. The airport body represents over 500 airports across 55 countries.
ACI reports that processing times for first-time EES users can increase by 30% to 50%. Moreover, at major hubs, the delay compounds quickly during peak arrival waves. ACI also cites recurring IT outages and under-tested kiosks as major risks. Furthermore, many airports still lack sufficient automated e-gates for non-EU travelers.
ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec warned of broader disruption.
“Unless all the operational issues we are raising today are fully resolved within the coming weeks, increasing this registration threshold to 35% as of 9 January — as required by the EES implementation calendar — will inevitably result in much more severe congestion and systemic disruption for airports and airlines,” he said. “This will possibly involve serious safety hazards.”
Portugal Restarts EES Tests
Meanwhile, Portugal’s response has drawn particular attention. In December 2025, authorities suspended EES checks at Lisbon Airport for three months. That decision followed severe congestion at passport control. On some days, queues reportedly stretched beyond seven hours. Furthermore, missed connections and delayed departures followed soon after.
Subsequently, the government increased border staffing and expanded processing capacity by roughly 30%. It also reverted temporarily to manual passport checks.
After these changes, Portugal recently resumed EES testing at Lisbon. Officials described the restart as a controlled assessment rather than full enforcement. Nevertheless, the move underscores how fragile EES operations remain at busy gateways.
A Wider European Pattern Emerges
Lisbon is not an isolated case. Across Europe, airports report similar stress points. In fact, Prague, Paris, and other major hubs have flagged long queues during EES pilot phases. In several cases, wait times exceeded 180 minutes during peak arrivals.
Airlines have warned that such delays risk knock-on effects across schedules. Therefore, industry groups argue that border efficiency is now an aviation resilience issue.
Additionally, the absence of a pre-registration app limits time savings. Passengers must still enroll in biometrics on arrival. As a result, border throughput depends heavily on staffing levels and traveler preparedness.
Airlines, Travelers Feel Impact
Overall, airlines face operational EES uncertainty as border delays increase turnaround times. Long queues also heighten passenger frustration and stress. According to industry estimates, a one-hour average delay can cost airlines millions annually. Travelers, especially families and elderly passengers, bear the human cost. Therefore, communication has become a priority for airlines and airports alike.
As such, many carriers now advise passengers to arrive at airports at least two hours before their flight. In addition, some airports have introduced queue monitoring and live updates. However, these measures only mitigate, not solve, structural issues.
Balancing EES Security, Flow
EU officials maintain that EES remains essential for modern border control. They argue that initial disruption is inevitable with any large-scale system. Still, industry groups insist that flexibility is equally essential. Contingency measures already exist within the EES legal framework. Thus, the debate centers on when and how to deploy them.
On the other hand, Portugal’s actions may set a precedent. Other countries could follow if congestion reaches critical levels. Therefore, coordination between governments, airports, and industry bodies remains crucial.
What Comes Next
As the April 2026 deadline approaches, pressure will intensify. Peak summer travel will further test EES resilience. Correspondingly, ABTA and ACI are expected to continue lobbying EU institutions. They want clearer thresholds for suspending or easing checks.
Ultimately, traveler confidence depends on smooth, predictable border experiences. Whether EES can deliver that balance remains an open question.
Photo by Maëva Vigier on Unsplash
