Ryanair Galvanises With Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France and More Airlines Clash With Europe as EU Refuses to Suspend EES Despite Mounting Summer Travel Delays Across Schengen Borders, Leaving Millions of Travellers Facing Longer Queues and Uncertainty: Full Study is Here

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

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July 10, 2026 19:08 GMT+5:30

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Ryanair joins Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France and more airlines as Europe refuses to suspend EES despite mounting summer travel delays across Schengen borders, leaving millions of travellers facing longer queues and growing uncertainty. Ryanair has galvanised with Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France and more airlines as Europe refuses to suspend the Entry/Exit System (EES) despite mounting summer travel delays across Schengen borders. Consequently, millions of travellers are facing longer queues, greater uncertainty and additional waiting times at border checkpoints.

The aviation industry argues that the new biometric border system is creating operational pressure during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. Nevertheless, European authorities remain committed to keeping the system in place. As a result, airlines, airports and passengers are now preparing for a summer shaped by tighter border controls and evolving travel procedures.

The European Union has refused to suspend its new Entry/Exit System (EES) despite mounting pressure from leading airline and airport organisations. Brussels insists the biometric border system will remain in operation throughout the busy summer travel season, arguing that only a small number of border crossings are experiencing significant disruption while authorities continue to improve operations.

Why Are Europe’s Leading Airlines Concerned About EES?

Europe’s aviation industry has intensified its criticism of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), arguing that the digital border programme is placing unnecessary pressure on airports during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Although the aviation sector supports the long-term goal of modernising border controls, airlines believe the timing of the rollout has increased the risk of passenger congestion.

The request for temporary relief was submitted by Airlines for Europe (A4E), Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Together, these organisations represent hundreds of airlines and airports, urging the European Commission to introduce temporary flexibility until the summer travel peak subsides.

Europe Stands Firm on the Entry/Exit System

The European Union has confirmed that its new Entry/Exit System (EES) will continue operating despite growing calls from the aviation sector for a temporary suspension during the peak summer holiday season. The decision comes after major airline and airport organisations warned that the biometric border control programme is causing lengthy queues, operational bottlenecks and increasing pressure on passengers travelling into the Schengen Area.

European officials maintain that suspending the system is neither necessary nor practical because the vast majority of border crossing points are functioning as expected. According to the European Commission, only a limited number of locations are experiencing notable congestion, while border authorities continue working with member states to resolve operational issues without interrupting the wider rollout.

Why Airlines and Airports Wanted the System Paused

The request for temporary relief was submitted jointly by Airlines for Europe (A4E), Airports Council International (ACI EUROPE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Together, these organisations represent hundreds of airlines and airports across Europe and warned that the system’s implementation during the busiest travel period of the year could create avoidable disruption.

Their concerns centred on longer processing times for first-time travellers required to register biometric information, including fingerprints and facial images. Industry groups argued that the additional procedures could overwhelm border control facilities at already busy airports and land crossings, leading to extended waiting times, delayed flights and operational challenges throughout the summer.

Europe’s Largest Airlines Backed the Industry Appeal

Although the request was made by aviation associations rather than individual airlines, it represented many of Europe’s biggest carriers. Members of Airlines for Europe include Ryanair, Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM, easyJet, International Airlines Group, Finnair, TAP Air Portugal, Norwegian, Wizz Air, Jet2.com, Icelandair, Pegasus Airlines, Volotea, Condor and several other leading operators.

These airlines have consistently expressed concerns about passenger flow management since preparations for EES accelerated. Some carriers warned that airports with heavy international traffic could experience significant congestion if large numbers of travellers require biometric registration simultaneously during peak departure and arrival periods.

What the Entry/Exit System Actually Does

The Entry/Exit System represents one of the European Union’s biggest border management reforms in decades. It replaces traditional passport stamping for eligible non-EU travellers with a fully digital system that records biometric information alongside the date and location of every entry and exit from participating Schengen countries.

For first-time visitors, border authorities collect fingerprints and capture a facial image before creating a secure digital travel record. On future journeys, those biometric records are used to verify identity more efficiently while allowing authorities to monitor permitted lengths of stay and identify travellers who overstay visa-free or authorised visits.

European Commission Says Problems Are Limited

European officials acknowledge that some airports and border crossings have experienced delays since EES became operational, but they argue that these issues remain geographically limited. The Commission has indicated that only around 20 border crossing points out of approximately 1,500 are currently facing significant operational challenges, making a continent-wide suspension disproportionate.

Instead of pausing the system, the European Union is encouraging member states to deploy additional border staff, improve passenger flow management and make greater use of available technology to reduce waiting times. Officials believe these measures will allow the system to stabilise while maintaining enhanced security standards across the Schengen Area.

Ryanair Warns of Longer Passenger Queues

Ryanair has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the EES rollout. The airline has repeatedly warned that mandatory biometric registration for first-time travellers could create lengthy immigration queues, particularly at airports handling millions of passengers during the holiday season.

The airline believes delays at border control can quickly affect aircraft turnaround times, potentially leading to flight delays across its extensive European network. Ryanair has therefore supported calls for the EU to postpone or temporarily ease implementation at the busiest border crossing points.

Lufthansa Group Seeks Smoother Border Operations

The Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, has backed the industry’s appeal through its membership of Airlines for Europe. The group supports digital border management but wants authorities to ensure airports have sufficient staffing and technology before enforcing large-scale biometric registration.

As one of Europe’s largest airline groups operating major hubs in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium, Lufthansa has highlighted the importance of maintaining efficient passenger flows during the summer holiday period.

British Airways and Iberia Support Industry Recommendations

British Airways and Iberia, both members of International Airlines Group (IAG), are also represented by the Airlines for Europe request. While neither airline has individually demanded a suspension, both support the industry’s recommendation that operational flexibility should be introduced where border infrastructure remains under pressure.

The airlines believe smoother immigration procedures are essential for maintaining punctual departures and minimising disruption for passengers connecting through major European hubs.

Air France, KLM and Transavia Back Collaborative Solutions

Air France-KLM, together with Transavia, supports the aviation industry’s position that the Entry/Exit System should operate without creating avoidable delays. The group has encouraged continued cooperation between airlines, airports and border authorities to improve passenger processing rather than allowing congestion to affect international travel.

The airline group recognises the security benefits of digital border management but argues that implementation should remain practical during periods of exceptionally high passenger demand.

easyJet Calls for Efficient Passenger Processing

easyJet has consistently supported efforts to modernise border controls while emphasising that efficiency must remain a priority. The airline has warned that additional biometric procedures could increase waiting times at busy airports unless sufficient border resources are available.

With an extensive short-haul network across Europe, easyJet believes efficient immigration procedures are critical for maintaining reliable schedules throughout the summer season.

Wizz Air Highlights Challenges at Busy Airports

Wizz Air has also been represented through Airlines for Europe during discussions with European institutions. Operating across Central and Eastern Europe, the airline has expressed concern that airports experiencing heavy seasonal traffic could struggle with increased passenger processing times.

The carrier supports targeted operational improvements rather than widespread disruption that could affect millions of travellers during the peak holiday period.

Jet2.com Focuses on Holiday Passenger Experience

Jet2.com, one of the United Kingdom’s largest leisure airlines, has supported the industry’s appeal because of its significant summer holiday programme. The airline believes long immigration queues can negatively affect the overall customer experience for passengers travelling to popular Mediterranean destinations.

With demand remaining exceptionally strong, Jet2.com has encouraged authorities to introduce practical measures that reduce waiting times while maintaining border security.

Norwegian, Finnair, TAP Air Portugal and Icelandair Join the Industry Position

Several other Airlines for Europe members have also supported the joint request. Norwegian has highlighted the importance of maintaining efficient airport operations across Scandinavia and Europe, while Finnair has stressed the need for reliable passenger processing at international gateways.

TAP Air Portugal and Icelandair similarly support a balanced approach that protects border security while reducing operational pressure on airports. Their participation reflects a wider industry consensus rather than isolated concerns from individual carriers.

Pegasus Airlines, Condor and Volotea Share Operational Concerns

Pegasus Airlines, Condor and Volotea are among the additional carriers represented through Airlines for Europe. These airlines operate extensive leisure and regional networks where punctual operations are particularly important during the summer holiday season.

Industry representatives argue that even relatively small delays at immigration checkpoints can create wider operational consequences throughout the day as aircraft schedules become increasingly compressed.

Why the System Matters for European Border Security

The Entry/Exit System is designed to modernise Europe’s external border management while strengthening security across participating countries. By replacing manual passport stamps with digital records, authorities can identify overstays more accurately, combat identity fraud and improve the overall efficiency of border controls.

The system also provides more reliable travel data for law enforcement and immigration authorities. Officials argue that digital border management will help protect the Schengen Area over the long term while delivering a more consistent experience for legitimate travellers once the initial adjustment period has passed.

Travellers May Still Experience Delays

Although the European Commission expects conditions to improve gradually, passengers travelling to Europe during the summer should continue allowing additional time for immigration formalities. First-time users of the Entry/Exit System may require longer processing because biometric enrolment must be completed before they can proceed through border control.

Returning travellers whose biometric information has already been recorded are generally expected to move through the process more quickly. Even so, queues may remain longer than usual at some airports and land borders where passenger volumes remain exceptionally high during the holiday season.

Aviation Industry Continues to Seek Improvements

While the European Union has rejected calls for a temporary suspension, aviation organisations continue working with policymakers to minimise disruption. Airlines and airports support the long-term objectives of digital border management but maintain that implementation should be as smooth as possible to avoid unnecessary impacts on passengers and airport operations.

Industry groups are expected to continue sharing operational data with European institutions throughout the summer, allowing authorities to identify pressure points and introduce targeted improvements where required. The focus has now shifted from delaying the system to ensuring that it operates efficiently as international travel demand remains strong across Europe.

European Commission Refuses to Pause the System

Despite the aviation sector’s appeal, the European Commission has confirmed that the Entry/Exit System will remain operational. EU officials say only around 20 of approximately 1,500 external border crossing points are experiencing significant disruption, making a continent-wide suspension unnecessary.

Instead, Brussels intends to work with individual member states to improve staffing levels, optimise passenger flows and deploy additional technological solutions where delays remain problematic.

What Travellers Should Expect This Summer

Passengers entering the Schengen Area for the first time under the Entry/Exit System should expect biometric registration, including fingerprint and facial image collection. This process may take longer than traditional passport checks, particularly at airports experiencing heavy passenger volumes.

Returning travellers whose biometric details are already stored within the system are generally expected to complete border formalities more quickly, although waiting times will continue to vary depending on airport traffic levels.

The primary cause of the dispute is the implementation of the European Union’s biometric Entry/Exit System during the peak summer travel period, when passenger numbers are at their highest. The straightforward answer is that the EU has refused to suspend the programme because it believes only a limited number of border crossings are experiencing significant disruption. The reason behind the decision is the bloc’s determination to modernise border management, strengthen security, reduce identity fraud and monitor visitor stays more accurately. Although airlines requested temporary flexibility, European officials concluded that operational improvements, rather than suspension, offer the most effective long-term solution.

Ryanair, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France and numerous other airlines have collectively highlighted the growing operational challenges linked to Europe’s Entry/Exit System, arguing that its implementation during the busiest holiday season risks creating avoidable delays for millions of travellers. Their concerns focus on longer immigration processing times, increased congestion at airports and potential knock-on effects across flight schedules as passenger demand continues to rise throughout the summer.

Despite these warnings, the European Union has chosen to continue with the rollout of EES, maintaining that the overwhelming majority of border crossing points are operating effectively. European authorities believe the long-term benefits of digital border management, including stronger security, improved identification of overstayers and more efficient immigration records, outweigh the temporary operational difficulties currently being experienced at selected locations.

For travellers, the immediate impact is likely to be additional waiting time, particularly for first-time visitors who must complete biometric registration before entering the Schengen Area. Returning passengers with existing biometric records are expected to move through border controls more efficiently, although delays may still occur at particularly busy airports during peak travel periods.

Looking ahead, the aviation industry is expected to continue working closely with European institutions to improve passenger processing without abandoning the new system. Airlines remain supportive of modern border technology but continue to call for practical adjustments that reduce congestion while maintaining security standards. The coming months will determine whether operational improvements can ease pressure on Europe’s busiest airports or whether further debate over the Entry/Exit System will continue as international travel demand remains exceptionally strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The Entry/Exit System is a digital border control programme that records the entry and exit of eligible non-EU travellers using biometric information instead of passport stamps.

Why did airlines want EES suspended?
Airlines and airport organisations warned that first-time biometric registration could create long queues, flight delays and operational challenges during the busiest summer travel period.

Who requested the suspension?
The request came from Airlines for Europe (A4E), Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing hundreds of airlines and airports.

Did the European Union agree to suspend the system?
No. The European Commission rejected the request, stating that only a small number of border crossings are experiencing significant disruption and that the system should continue operating.

Will travellers still face delays?
Some travellers, particularly those registering their biometrics for the first time, may experience longer border processing times during busy travel periods.

Which airlines are represented by the request?
The appeal represented airlines including Ryanair, Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM, British Airways, Iberia, easyJet, Wizz Air, TAP Air Portugal, Norwegian, Jet2.com, Finnair, Icelandair, Pegasus Airlines, Volotea, Condor and other members of Airlines for Europe.