Europe’s Schengen Border Crisis Deepens as Airport Queues Hit Five Hours, Triggering Urgent Calls for EES Reform

Airports and airlines from Europe are urgently calling for reforms to the Schengen Entry Exit System (EES) due to long border checks which have caused chaos for international flights. As travelers are having to endure waiting times of up to five hours in peak periods, two leading aviation bodies have stated that current issues are adding to the pressure at European borders.

Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE) and Airlines for Europe (A4E) have called for immediate operational improvements and regulatory adjustments to make the digital border system more efficient.

The organisations have presented a six-point reform plan designed to reduce passenger queues, simplify biometric checks and improve automated border processing. Their proposals come nearly six months after the EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026.

European Airports Face Growing Pressure as Schengen Border Delays Continue

The continuing disruption has become a serious concern for Europe’s aviation industry. Despite efforts by national border authorities and airports to improve passenger processing, waiting times remain unusually long at some international entry points.

According to the two industry organisations, travellers are routinely experiencing delays exceeding two hours, while the most severe cases have involved queues lasting as long as five hours during peak travel periods.

These figures highlight the difficulties facing airports as they attempt to manage large passenger volumes alongside demanding digital border procedures.

Long queues can also spread beyond passport control, affecting terminal operations and complicating the movement of passengers towards connecting flights.

Five-Hour Border Queues Threaten Passenger Journeys and Airport Efficiency

For international travellers, lengthy border checks can turn an otherwise straightforward journey into a stressful experience.

Passengers arriving at busy European airports may face extended waits before entering the Schengen area. Those with onward connections face an additional challenge, as delays at immigration can reduce the time available to reach their next departure.

The consequences extend beyond missed connections. Congested border areas can create overcrowding in terminals and increase the workload of airport employees, airline representatives and immigration officers.

Airport operators must also manage the movement of arriving passengers while maintaining normal services elsewhere in the terminal.

Industry representatives believe these operational challenges require more than temporary adjustments during exceptionally busy periods.

Europe’s Digital Entry/Exit System Faces a Major Operational Test

The Entry/Exit System was introduced to modernise border management across 29 European countries.

It began operating gradually on 12 October 2025 before reaching full implementation on 10 April 2026.

Under the system, eligible non-EU travellers entering or leaving participating European countries for short stays have their travel information recorded electronically.

The process includes passport details, facial images, fingerprints and the dates and locations of border crossings.

The technology replaces traditional passport stamping and supports the identification of overstays and identity fraud.

However, although the system aims to strengthen security and improve border management, aviation organisations argue that its everyday operation still requires substantial improvements.

Staff Shortages and Technology Problems Add to Europe’s Airport Congestion

Several operational weaknesses have been identified as contributing to the persistent delays.

One major problem involves insufficient staffing at border control points, particularly when large numbers of international passengers arrive within short periods.

Technical instability affecting the digital infrastructure supporting EES has created another challenge.

Airports have also struggled with the limited availability and use of self-service registration kiosks and automated border gates.

These facilities could help passengers complete certain procedures more quickly, but their deployment remains uneven.

Meanwhile, the Travel to Europe pre-registration application has not yet reached its full operational potential.

Together, these shortcomings have restricted the system’s ability to process large passenger volumes efficiently during busy travel periods.

Aviation Industry Demands Six Urgent Changes to Simplify Schengen Border Checks

ACI EUROPE and A4E have introduced six proposals intended to tackle the main causes of congestion.

Their first recommendation focuses on eliminating double verification, reducing unnecessary repetition when checking passenger information.

The second seeks to improve biometric verification so that identity checks become more efficient without abandoning security requirements.

A third proposal addresses duplicate EES profiles, which can complicate traveller records and create additional administrative work.

The organisations also want significant improvements to the Travel to Europe application and its associated web portal.

Their fifth recommendation calls for wider, more consistent use of automated border control facilities for eligible non-EU nationals.

Finally, they propose making partial suspension of biometric registration available as a permanent flexibility measure during excessive congestion.

Travel to Europe App Could Become a Key Tool for Faster Border Processing

Digital pre-registration forms an important part of the proposed reforms.

The Travel to Europe application allows eligible travellers to submit certain information before arriving at a participating border crossing.

According to European Commission guidance, eligible users can pre-register information within 72 hours before entering a participating country.

However, availability and functionality depend on the participating destination and its implementation arrangements.

A more effective application and web portal could reduce the amount of information travellers need to provide after arrival.

This could help border authorities process passengers more efficiently, particularly when several international services arrive at approximately the same time.

Automated Border Gates Could Help Reduce Pressure on Airport Staff

The wider introduction of automated border control is another central recommendation.

Automated gates can allow eligible passengers to complete certain identity checks electronically, reducing dependence on conventional staffed inspection points.

However, successful implementation requires reliable technology, suitable airport infrastructure and consistent operating procedures.

The aviation organisations want European countries to accelerate deployment and harmonise access for eligible third-country nationals.

A more coordinated approach could make border procedures easier to understand while reducing differences between airports.

It could also allow immigration personnel to concentrate on passengers requiring additional checks.

Nevertheless, automated technology must operate reliably if it is to deliver meaningful improvements in passenger processing.

Emergency Flexibility Could Protect Travellers During Severe Airport Delays

One of the most significant proposals involves allowing authorities to temporarily stop collecting biometric information when border congestion becomes excessive.

The aviation organisations want this flexibility restored as a permanent mechanism within EES operations.

Such an arrangement would allow border authorities to respond to exceptional or sustained queues without completely abandoning border checks.

The proposal specifically concerns partial suspension of biometric registration rather than the unrestricted admission of travellers.

Supporters believe operational flexibility could help airports manage sudden passenger surges and prevent queues from reaching extreme levels.

Any permanent change would require consideration of the relevant European regulatory framework and the security objectives underpinning the system.

Europe’s Border Reform Debate Raises Wider Questions for International Tourism

The dispute highlights the importance of reliable border infrastructure to Europe’s wider travel economy.

International visitors depend on predictable arrival procedures when planning holidays, business journeys and connecting itineraries.

Lengthy immigration queues can weaken the overall travel experience, even when other airport services operate efficiently.

For airports and airlines, uncertainty at border control also makes passenger management more complicated.

The latest reform proposals therefore represent more than a request for shorter queues.

They reflect an industry-wide effort to make digital border management practical during everyday airport operations.

As European authorities consider the recommendations, the central challenge will be balancing effective security with the smooth movement of international travellers.

The response to the six-point plan could help determine whether the EES delivers a faster, more dependable border experience.