Spain Aligns with Italy, France, Poland, and Ireland as Ryanair Flags Europe’s Busiest EES Airports, Warning of Lengthy Border Control Delays That Could Reshape Summer Travel Across the Schengen Region

Written By: Pritam Nath

Pritam Nath

Pritam Nath is a published writer, journalist, and media researcher with over seven years of experience in journalism, content creation, and strategic communication. He specializes in media studies, journalism and mass communication, content strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. A certified journalist, he has produced research-driven news, feature stories, and industry analysis across media, travel, tourism, hospitality, culture, and strategic communication. Combining academic expertise with practical experience in digital publishing, Pritam creates insightful, engaging, and credible content that informs diverse audiences. He continues to explore emerging trends in global media, journalism, tourism, and digital communication while developing impactful content strategies.

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July 8, 2026 17:44 GMT+5:30

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Europe’s evolving border management system is creating a new reality for international travelers. As the European Union continues implementing the Entry/Exit System (EES), airlines, airports, and border agencies are adapting to a more technology-driven immigration process designed to strengthen security while modernizing border crossings. However, the transition has also resulted in significantly longer passport control queues at several major European gateways during peak travel periods.

Ryanair has now drawn attention to the airports experiencing the greatest operational pressure under the new system. The Irish low-cost airline says that some passengers arriving from countries outside the European Union and the Schengen Area are encountering extensive waiting times as biometric registration requirements slow border processing. The carrier has urged European authorities to introduce temporary operational measures while airports continue adjusting to the new procedures. For travelers planning European holidays, understanding where delays are most likely—and why they are happening—has become an important part of travel preparation.

Ryanair Raises Concerns Over EES Border Processing

The rollout of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System represents one of the most significant changes to external border management in recent years. Instead of relying primarily on manual passport stamping, border officials now register eligible third-country travelers electronically using biometric information.

According to Ryanair, the introduction of these additional verification steps has increased passenger processing times at several airports, particularly those handling large numbers of international leisure travelers during the summer season. The airline says queues may become especially lengthy during morning and afternoon departure peaks when multiple international flights arrive simultaneously.

While the airline supports stronger border security, it argues that airport infrastructure and staffing levels at some locations have not expanded quickly enough to accommodate the increased workload generated by the new procedures.

Airports Reporting the Longest EES Waiting Times

Ryanair has identified several European airports where border processing has become particularly challenging following the introduction of the Entry/Exit System.

Spanish airports account for the largest share of the list, reflecting the country’s popularity among international tourists during the European summer. Airports serving Mediterranean beach destinations often experience heavy passenger volumes, making operational efficiency particularly important.

Meanwhile, Milan Bergamo, Kraków, and Paris Beauvais remain important bases for low-cost carriers serving travelers from numerous countries outside the Schengen Area, increasing demand for biometric processing.

Understanding How the Entry/Exit System Works

The Entry/Exit System replaces traditional passport stamping with a centralized electronic registration process for eligible non-EU nationals crossing the external borders of participating European countries.

Under the system, travelers complete several identity verification procedures during their first registration.

Once the information has been recorded, future border crossings may become more efficient because authorities already possess the traveler’s biometric profile, although identity verification remains necessary.

The European Union introduced the system to improve border security, strengthen immigration management, reduce document fraud, and provide more accurate records of entries and exits across participating countries.

Why Are Airport Queues Becoming Longer?

Several operational factors are contributing to increased waiting times at border checkpoints.

Unlike previous passport inspections, biometric enrollment requires travelers to complete several additional verification steps. Even if each registration only takes a few extra minutes, thousands of passengers moving through busy airports can quickly create substantial queues.

Summer travel demand has further intensified the situation, particularly across Southern Europe where tourist arrivals reach annual highs.

Spain’s Resort Airports Face the Greatest Pressure

Spain features prominently in Ryanair’s warning because of its role as one of Europe’s leading tourism destinations.

Every summer, millions of visitors travel to the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Costa del Sol, and Costa Blanca. Airports such as Tenerife South, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, and Málaga routinely process enormous volumes of international arrivals from countries both inside and outside the European Union.

The combination of heavy leisure traffic and newly introduced biometric requirements has placed additional pressure on immigration facilities, particularly during weekends and holiday travel peaks.

Airport authorities continue adjusting staffing levels and expanding passenger processing capacity, but demand remains exceptionally strong throughout the summer travel season.

Ryanair Calls for Temporary Operational Flexibility

Ryanair has appealed to European policymakers to consider temporary adjustments while airports continue adapting to the Entry/Exit System.

The airline has suggested that regulators explore practical measures aimed at reducing passenger waiting times during the busiest travel months without compromising border security objectives.

According to the carrier, minimizing excessive queues would improve the passenger experience, reduce the risk of missed connections, and help airports maintain smoother operations during periods of exceptionally high demand.

The proposal focuses on operational flexibility rather than abandoning the Entry/Exit System entirely.

European Commission Maintains Support for EES

European authorities have acknowledged the operational challenges associated with introducing a large-scale digital border management platform but continue supporting the long-term objectives of the Entry/Exit System.

Officials have indicated that there are currently no plans for a general suspension of the program. Instead, authorities remain open to localized operational improvements where airports experience particularly heavy congestion.

Such measures may include expanding biometric processing facilities, increasing staffing levels, improving passenger guidance, and refining operational procedures as airports gain experience with the system.

The Commission maintains that the Entry/Exit System represents an important investment in Europe’s future border security infrastructure.

What Travelers Should Expect Before Flying

Passengers traveling from countries outside the European Union and Schengen Area should prepare for the possibility of additional processing time when entering participating countries.

Travelers making their first journey under the new system should expect biometric enrollment to take slightly longer than future crossings, since their information must first be entered into the European database.

Those with connecting flights should also consider allowing additional transfer time at airports identified as experiencing higher passenger volumes.

The Future of European Border Management

Although the initial implementation period has created operational challenges, the Entry/Exit System represents a major modernization of European border management. As airports expand infrastructure, train additional staff, and optimize passenger flows, processing efficiency is expected to improve over time.

For airlines, airports, and border agencies, the coming months will serve as an important adjustment period. Travelers can expect ongoing refinements designed to balance stronger security measures with smoother passenger experiences.

For now, passengers flying through Europe’s busiest leisure gateways should remain informed, arrive early, and plan itineraries with greater flexibility as the continent continues adapting to one of its most significant border modernization initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the European Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is a biometric border management system that digitally records the entry and exit of eligible non-EU travelers entering participating European countries.

2. Why are airport queues becoming longer?
Additional biometric checks, including fingerprint and facial image collection, require more processing time than traditional passport stamping.

3. Which airports are experiencing the longest delays?
Ryanair identifies Tenerife South, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Málaga, Milan Bergamo, Kraków, and Paris Beauvais among the busiest airports affected.

4. Does the EES apply to all travelers?
No. It mainly applies to eligible travelers arriving from countries outside the European Union and the Schengen Area.

5. Will passengers need fingerprints every time they travel?
Biometric verification remains part of the process, but the initial registration generally requires the most extensive enrollment.

6. Has Ryanair opposed the EES entirely?
No. Ryanair supports secure borders but has requested temporary operational measures to reduce excessive airport queues.

7. Is the European Commission planning to suspend the EES?
Current indications suggest there are no plans for a general suspension, although localized improvements may be introduced where needed.

8. Why are Spanish airports particularly affected?
Spain experiences exceptionally high summer tourism volumes, placing additional pressure on border control operations.

9. How early should travelers arrive at affected airports?
Passengers should consider arriving earlier than usual, especially if traveling during busy holiday periods or making international connections.

10. Will airport waiting times improve in the future?
Authorities expect processing efficiency to improve as airports expand facilities, increase staffing, and gain more operational experience with the Entry/Exit System.