Airlines and airports urge EU to suspend border system amid long queues

The European Entry/Exit System (EES), fully implemented in April 2026, is causing wait times of up to five hours at Schengen border controls, prompting airlines and airports to demand its temporary suspension during the summer peak. In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E), and IATA warned of "unsustainable pressure" and asked for full flexibility to suspend the system when passenger volumes exceed capacity, at least for July and August Source: Infobae. Ryanair separately urged governments, including Spain's, to delay EES until September, calling passengers "guinea pigs" for a "half-finished" system Source: La Vanguardia. The industry reports that some planes are departing with empty seats because passengers remain stuck in queues Source: El Español. The European Commission maintains that most airports are applying EES smoothly and that many delays are due to pre-existing factors, not the system itself Source: Euronews. However, it has already allowed member states to temporarily suspend biometric data collection until early September, a measure the sector says is insufficient. With an expected 40 million additional passengers in July and August compared to the previous two months, the industry warns of inevitable worsening without further action. Since EES launch, over 40,000 individuals have been denied entry due to document issues or security risks, according to the Commission.