Overview
- The Entry/Exit System became fully operational on April 10, 2026 and replaces passport stamping for most non-EU travellers by recording fingerprints and a facial image.
- Passengers and airlines report long, unpredictable queues at major hubs including Amsterdam, Milan, Lisbon and Canary Island airports with some waits of up to three hours and several missed flights.
- One high-profile case saw an easyJet Milan–Manchester flight leave with far fewer passengers after around 120 travellers failed to clear passport control in time.
- Spanish operator Aena and some carriers are telling non‑Schengen travellers to arrive three hours early while industry groups such as ABTA are urging authorities to deploy contingency measures like extra staff and manual checks.
- EES aims to prevent overstays and identity fraud by storing biometric exit and entry records but small increases in per‑passenger processing time are compounding into large delays during peak travel periods.