Key Takeaways:
- The Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) is already causing border delays of up to two hours.
- Airports and airlines warn of four-hour queues this summer without immediate EU action.
- Industry bodies are urging the EU to allow member states to suspend the EES partially or fully until October 2026.
- The current rollout requires 35% of all third-country nationals to be registered upon entry.
Leading aviation organizations have issued a stark warning: the European Union's new border management system threatens to create chaos at airports this summer.
In a joint letter to EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) stated that the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) is causing significant passenger delays. They predict severe disruptions during the peak travel season if no immediate action is taken.
A System Under Strain
The EES is an automated IT system designed to register non-EU travelers each time they cross an external Schengen border. It replaces manual passport stamping with digital recording of entry, exit, and refusal data.
However, the current phase of its progressive rollout mandates that 35% of all third-country nationals entering the Schengen zone must be registered through the system. This requirement, combined with potential processing bottlenecks, is already stretching resources thin.
Industry reports indicate that waiting times at airport border control have already reached up to two hours in some locations. The concern is that as passenger numbers swell in the summer, these delays could more than double.
An Urgent Call for Flexibility
The core of the industry's plea is for operational flexibility. The travel bodies are urging the European Commission to confirm that Schengen member states will retain the ability to partially or totally suspend EES registration requirements until the end of October 2026.
This temporary measure would allow for:
- A more managed and gradual implementation.
- Additional time to train staff and optimize processes.
- The avoidance of catastrophic queue times that could damage the travel economy and passenger experience.
Without this confirmation and immediate action, the letter warns of queues potentially involving four-hour waits or more over the peak summer months.
The call highlights a critical tension between implementing robust border security and ensuring the practical fluidity of freedom of movement—a cornerstone of the Schengen area.
The Broader Context: Logistics and Travel
While the EES warning focuses on passenger travel, the broader logistics and shipping industry continues to evolve separately. In a related development, shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk has placed a major order for eight new, large dual-fuel container vessels from a Chinese shipyard, with delivery set for 2029-2030.
This underscores the parallel, complex ecosystems of people and goods moving across borders, both of which rely on efficient systems to function. Disruptions in one area, like passenger processing, can have ripple effects on crew changes, business travel, and overall supply chain logistics.
The coming months will be a crucial test for the EU's ability to balance security innovations with operational reality at its borders.