ACI EUROPE, A4E, and IATA Urge EU to Address Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) Delays Ahead of Busy Summer – What You Need to Know

Image generated with Ai

As summer approaches, European airports and airlines are voicing serious concerns over the ongoing delays caused by the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES). Leading aviation bodies, including Airports Council International (ACI EUROPE), Airlines for Europe (A4E), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), have warned that unless immediate action is taken, passengers could face extreme delays, with queues potentially extending up to 4 hours or more. This warning comes as the EES is progressively rolled out, and a combination of unresolved issues is exacerbating the situation.

The EES Rollout and Its Impact on Passenger Flow

The Schengen Entry/Exit System, designed to enhance border security by electronically tracking the entry and exit of third-country nationals, is gradually being implemented across Schengen Area borders. The current stage of the rollout mandates that 35% of all third-country nationals entering the Schengen zone be registered, a step that has already led to significant delays at border controls.

Reports from ACI EUROPE, A4E, and IATA reveal that excessive waiting times of up to two hours have already been observed at several European airports. As the summer travel season approaches, this problem is expected to worsen, with the peak months of July and August potentially seeing delays of up to 4 hours per passenger, creating severe disruptions across the continent’s busiest travel hubs.

Key Issues Behind EES Delays

In a letter addressed to Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, the three aviation bodies highlighted three critical issues that are contributing to the delays at border control:

1. Chronic Understaffing of Border Control Personnel: Airports have long faced staffing shortages in their border control teams, a situation made even worse by the demands of the EES. With the system requiring more human resources to process passengers, many airports are struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels. This has led to slower processing times and, ultimately, longer queues for passengers.
2. Unresolved Technological Issues: The EES is built on the premise of advanced border automation, but significant technological problems are hampering the system’s efficiency. The integration of automated systems, intended to speed up passenger registration, has not been smooth, with airports and border agencies reporting frequent system malfunctions and delays. These technological hiccups only add to the pressure at border control, preventing smooth passenger processing.
3. Limited Uptake of the Frontex Pre-Registration App: Another significant issue raised in the letter is the very low uptake of the Frontex pre-registration app, which was designed to allow third-country nationals to pre-register their entry into the Schengen Area. Despite the availability of this app, many Schengen states have failed to encourage its use among travelers. Without widespread adoption, the app cannot alleviate the pressure on border control processes, as it was intended to do, leading to longer wait times at borders.

The Threat of Summer Disruptions

As the system moves closer to full implementation, ACI EUROPE, A4E, and IATA are sounding the alarm about the impact of these delays during the busy summer travel season. With the mandatory EES registrations set to apply to all border crossings starting in July, the summer months are expected to see a massive surge in travel, making the current issues even more problematic.

Given the combination of chronic understaffing, unresolved technological challenges, and the low adoption of pre-registration tools, the aviation sector is bracing for a summer plagued by delays. If these issues are not addressed swiftly, the entire Schengen Area could face bottlenecks, with passengers waiting in line for up to four hours or more.

The Urgent Call for Action

In their letter to Commissioner Brunner, the aviation bodies have called for immediate action to resolve these critical issues before the peak summer period begins. They are urging the European Commission to provide clarity on whether Schengen Member States will retain the ability to partially or fully suspend the EES until the end of October 2026. Under the current regulations outlined in Regulation 2025/1534, the ability to suspend EES will no longer be available after early July. However, the aviation bodies have expressed concern that, under the current framework, it remains unclear whether such suspension measures can still be activated in a timely manner, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the Schengen Border Control Code’s provisions for relaxing border checks.

The Need for Flexibility

The European Commission’s response to these concerns will be critical in determining whether sufficient flexibility can be introduced to alleviate the delays. The aviation sector has emphasized that without such flexibility, the situation could escalate into a crisis, particularly during the high-demand summer months when travelers are already facing unprecedented challenges.

Both airlines and airports are calling for a flexible, pragmatic approach to ensure the smooth flow of passengers across Schengen borders. This includes retaining the option to temporarily suspend the EES for certain border crossings or adjusting the system’s operation to better accommodate peak travel periods. Only by addressing these issues head-on can the EU prevent a situation where the EES undermines the efficiency of European airports and severely disrupts passenger travel.

Conclusion: A Critical Juncture for the Schengen Area

The Schengen Entry/Exit System is an essential tool for improving border security within the European Union. However, as it continues to be rolled out, it is clear that several significant challenges must be addressed to avoid major disruptions. Airports and airlines are at a critical juncture, and immediate action from the European Commission is necessary to prevent further delays and ensure the smooth operation of the system during the upcoming summer months. Failure to act swiftly could not only lead to prolonged waiting times for passengers but also undermine the overall travel experience within the Schengen Area. With summer fast approaching, the time for decisive action is now.