EU admits “much still to do” as new EES border system triggers long airport queues

The European Commission has acknowledged that significant issues remain with the rollout of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), as airports across Europe report long queues and operational strain linked to the automated border control regime.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday that there is “still a lot to do” to address technical and operational problems, adding that the Commission is working with member states to resolve them. The comments follow growing criticism from airports and airlines over the system’s impact on passenger flows.

The EES, introduced in the autumn, replaces manual passport stamping for non-EU travellers with digital registration of entry and exit data, including biometric information. It is designed to improve monitoring of overstays and entry refusals across the Schengen area.

However, industry stakeholders say implementation has been disruptive, with reports of severe congestion at border control points in several European airports, including Brussels Airport. Airlines and airport operators warn that queues can reach up to five hours during peak periods, with passengers sometimes held outside terminals due to insufficient processing capacity.

A joint industry letter to the Commission described the situation as placing “unbearable pressure” on airport operations, citing significant delays and visible bottlenecks during peak travel times.

The Commission maintains that the system is essential for strengthening border security and argues that member states had sufficient time to prepare for its introduction. It continues to coordinate with national authorities to stabilise deployment and improve processing performance across the network.