Ryanair Urges EU to Extend EES Relief as Europe Travel Faces New Border Delay Risks

Written By: Binoy Mehera

Binoy Mehera

A curious mind driven by a passion for storytelling, I find inspiration in uncovering hidden perspectives, exploring diverse experiences, and shaping ideas into narratives that leave an impact. With three years of experience in journalism and content creation, I have developed a strong instinct for identifying meaningful stories, blending research with creativity, and presenting information in a way that connects with readers. My storytelling journey is guided by a fascination for culture, travel, lifestyle, and the human experiences that define our world. I aim to create narratives that not only inform but also spark curiosity, evoke emotions, and offer audiences a deeper understanding of every story.

See Full Bio

September 7, 2026 2:42 PM

RyanAir has demanded that the Commission provides a six-month extension to the temporary derogation for the Entry/Exit System (EES). The expiration of derogation on the night of 6 September puts sanction on some MSs for failing to implement the Schengen Information System and EES in full. Delays would create bottlenecks at border control and Defense Ministers and the Commission have been asked to comment. Europe travel would experience border delays and disruption of passengers would increase unless flexibility is granted to improve the system and enhance border processing capacity.

The airline said that ending this flexibility comes despite continued passenger disruption linked to the implementation of the new border system. Airlines, airports and industry groups have repeatedly raised concerns that the EES rollout is contributing to longer processing times, extended queues and delays at European border checkpoints.

During the summer travel period, several major European airports experienced significant border delays, with passengers facing waiting times of up to two to three hours at locations including Krakow, Lisbon, Milan and Rome. Industry representatives have warned that further disruptions could occur during busy travel periods if authorities lose the ability to manage passenger flows.

Although EU officials have maintained that the EES system is operating effectively, travellers continue to experience challenges caused by technical issues, limited staffing and slower processing procedures. The removal of the derogation means member states will have fewer options to reduce congestion during periods of high passenger demand.

Ryanair has called on the European Commission to restore the derogation until at least April 2027. The extension, according to the airline, would provide airports and border authorities additional time to improve infrastructure, resolve technical problems with kiosks, increase staffing capacity and ensure the system functions smoothly before full enforcement affects passengers across Europe.

Ryanair’s COO Neal McMahon, said:

“The EU’s handling of EES has been a shambles from start to finish.

Airlines, airports and border authorities repeatedly warned Brussels that the rollout was not ready, that it would increase processing times and that it would create excessive queues for passengers. Those warnings were ignored, with EU citizens the ones delayed and disrupted.

Passengers should not be made pay the price for the EU’s failed EES rollout. Ryanair calls on the EU Commission to urgently extend the EES derogation until at least Apr 2027, so that airports and border authorities have the time needed to fix malfunctioning kiosks, increase staffing levels and ensure the system can operate efficiently before full enforcement is introduced and passengers are condemned to these excessive border control delays for another season.”