Airports and airlines have urged the European Commission and EU Member States to introduce immediate flexibility in the rollout of the Schengen Entry-Exit System (EES), following widespread disruption on its first full day of operation.
Despite expectations that traveller registration would take around 70 seconds, real-world conditions saw waiting times at border control stretch to 2–3 hours during peak periods. These delays—occurring even with partial suspension measures—led to missed flights, operational disruptions, and extreme boarding issues, including flights departing with dozens of absent passengers.
Industry bodies ACI EUROPE and Airlines for Europe (A4E) reiterated prior warnings about implementation risks and are now calling for authorities to be allowed to fully suspend the system when delays become excessive. While reaffirming support for EES objectives, they stress that border security improvements must not undermine operational efficiency or Europe’s attractiveness as a travel destination, especially amid broader air travel disruptions.