Iceland Joins France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain in Grappling with Travel Chaos as EU’s New Biometric System Sparks Hours of Airport Delays

Published on December 19, 2025

By: Rana Pratap

As Europe faces its busiest travel season, Iceland joins France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain in severe delays, with 3,000 flights delayed and 143 canceled, due to the EU’s biometric system causing 70% longer processing times. As the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to roll out, airports across Europe are facing mounting pressure, with long queues, technical glitches, and overwhelmed staff. The system, intended to streamline border controls, has instead led to massive delays. With holiday travel in full swing, passengers are left stranded, and flight cancellations are rising. The EES, which has caused processing times to increase by up to 70%, is severely disrupting travel across major hubs in Iceland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, and things are expected to get worse.

A Travel Nightmare Unfolding Across Europe

In the midst of Europe’s bustling holiday travel season, a perfect storm of delays and frustration is unfolding. Across Iceland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, thousands of passengers are facing hours of delays, missed connections, and overwhelming queues at major airports. The EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to improve border control, has instead sparked a travel chaos that shows no signs of letting up.

This system, launched in October 2025, was meant to modernize how Europe handles border control for third-country nationals by using biometric data—fingerprints and facial scans. The intention was clear: to replace outdated passport stamps, improve security, and streamline the process for millions of travelers entering the Schengen Area.

However, the reality has been far from the smooth transition that was promised. Iceland, which was initially spared the chaos, is now experiencing its own bottlenecks. Passengers from Reykjavik to Paris, Madrid, and beyond are caught in the same web of inefficiency that has plagued airports in France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Three-hour waits at Icelandic airports—once a model of efficiency—have now become the norm.

A Major Disruption to European Air Travel

In an unexpected turn of events, yesterday’s data reveals a dire situation. Nearly 3,000 flights have been delayed and 143 canceled across major European airports. The disruption is affecting a wide range of countries, including the UK, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Belgium. This massive operational breakdown is creating headaches for travelers already struggling with flight delays. Major airlines like Air France, KLM, and Lufthansa have felt the impact of these system failures, with thousands of travelers stranded in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and other major cities.

Passengers are scrambling to find alternate routes or rebook their flights while airports are seeing overcrowded terminals, further compounding delays. The ripple effect has been severe: passengers are missing connections, enduring longer wait times, and battling the stress of uncertainty as the holiday travel season approaches. Airlines are advising passengers to stay informed, check for updates, and remain flexible as the chaos continues to unfold.

The Expansion of the EES: A Worsening Crisis

The EU’s biometric border system has already been rolled out gradually since October 2025, and expansion plans are set for January 2026, when 35% of third-country nationals are expected to undergo biometric registration. Airports across Europe have raised the alarm, warning that the expansion of the EES could further increase delays and exacerbate congestion. Airports have reported that the current delays are already up to 70% longer compared to the traditional passport stamping process. If the EU’s plan proceeds as scheduled, there’s a high risk of even greater disruptions—potentially causing systemic breakdowns at major hubs.

This isn’t just about inconvenience—the very infrastructure supporting Europe’s airports is struggling to keep pace with the increased demand created by the biometric checks. Staff shortages, faulty self-service kiosks, and e-gate failures are contributing to extended delays at airports. With fewer officers to manage high volumes of passengers and a technical system that isn’t fully functional, travelers are enduring frustration that goes beyond just waiting in line.

As More Countries Join the Chaos, the Situation Worsens

It’s no longer just a few isolated cases; Iceland has joined the ranks of countries facing these same issues. France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and Spain are all experiencing the same problem: delays of up to 3 hours at immigration points, and travelers are being left behind in the rush to get through the bottlenecks. The new EES system was supposed to make border control faster and more efficient, but it has instead disrupted travel flows in a major way.

The growing delay patterns are raising concerns about how these issues will affect the holiday season. As travelers attempt to make last-minute bookings, or return to see family, many are worried about missing flights or getting stuck in overcrowded terminals.

Airports and Airlines Urge the EU to Reconsider the Timeline

Airports have made it clear: the EES rollout must be slowed down. Airports Council International (ACI) and airport operators are urging the European Commission to reconsider the planned expansion of the system in January 2026, and to take action to address the technical and staffing challenges facing airports. If the expansion is allowed to continue without addressing these issues, the situation could worsen dramatically. Airports are already struggling to cope with the new system, and expanding the requirement to 35% of third-country nationals will only make things worse. Airports have warned of systemic disruption and the potential for serious safety risks due to overcrowded immigration halls.

Missed Connections and Passenger Frustration: The Human Impact

The delays aren’t just about inconvenience—they’re also about missed connections. Travelers are reporting delays of up to 3 hours at immigration checkpoints, leading to missed flights and connecting flights that can’t be rescheduled. In airports like Frankfurt and Charles de Gaulle, travelers have become stranded because their connecting flights left without them. This is wreaking havoc on travelers’ plans, especially as holiday travel ramps up.

The Full Rollout: What’s at Stake for Travelers and Airports

The full implementation of the EES is scheduled for April 2026, but if technical issues, staffing shortages, and delays continue to plague the system, it could backfire dramatically. The EU faces a dilemma: they are pushing forward with a system that is far from ready for prime time, risking both traveler satisfaction and the economic viability of Europe’s tourism industry.

If airports are unable to cope with the increased passenger flow, travelers will continue to face long queues, missed connections, and, perhaps worst of all, a lost sense of trust in the EU’s ability to manage secure travel. With major carriers already feeling the strain, the tourism industry is watching closely, hoping that the EU adjusts its plans before the disruptions spiral out of control.

What Does This Mean for Travelers?

For passengers, the frustration is real. Icelandic and European airports are in crisis mode, struggling to maintain order and keep up with passenger traffic. Missed connections, extended delays, and overcrowded terminals have become the new normal. As travelers across Europe brace for a hectic holiday season, many are questioning whether the new biometric system is worth the hassle.

With major airlines like Air France, KLM, and Lufthansa facing heavy delays and cancellations, it’s clear that airline and airport staff are stretched thin, and passengers are bearing the brunt. Travelers are urged to stay updated on flight statuses and check for possible delays.

As Europe faces its busiest travel season, Iceland has joined France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain in severe delays, with 3,000 flights delayed and 143 canceled, due to the EU’s new biometric system, causing processing times to increase by up to 70%.

The EU Faces a Critical Moment

The European Commission is at a crossroads. The EES system was supposed to improve security and streamline border control, but the delays, staffing shortages, and technical failures suggest that the EU must urgently reconsider its implementation timeline. If these problems aren’t addressed soon, the EU’s new biometric system could lead to widespread chaos in the travel industry across Europe.

As of today, the EU faces mounting pressure from airports, airlines, and travelers to take immediate action. Without resolution, this perfect storm of delays, cancellations, and frustration will continue to impact Iceland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and beyond — and could redefine the future of travel in Europe for years to come.