Particle.news

Airlines Warn of EU Border Delays During Biometric Check Rollout

New Entry/Exit checks collect biometrics, lengthening processing times.

Overview

  • EasyJet told a traveller they would miss their flight if they arrived after the gate closed, citing long passport‑control queues linked to new EU checks.
  • Jet2 advised that arriving two to three hours before departure usually avoids problems at security and said it will message customers if it expects congestion at their airport.
  • ABTA urged passengers to head straight to passport control after security to complete the new checks early and to treat two hours before departure as a minimum for short‑haul flights.
  • The EU Entry/Exit System replaces passport stamping for non‑EU visitors by taking fingerprints and a photo at the border, with no advance application or fee for travellers.
  • Recent reports described travellers stuck in fingerprint lines, including a passenger in Palermo who queued for an hour with little movement, and concerns raised about departures from Faro.