Ryanair Urges Delay of EU Entry-Exit System Until September

International

Airline warns of longer border control queues during the summer holiday peak and calls for governments to postpone the EES rollout

Ryanair has called on European governments to postpone the introduction of the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) until September, warning that the new border control procedures are not yet ready to cope with peak summer travel. The airline says millions of passengers, including families travelling during the school holidays, could face significant delays if the system is introduced during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

To help passengers prepare for potential disruption, Ryanair is advising travellers flying to non-Schengen destinations to allow additional time at the airport. The carrier warns that the introduction of EES is expected to increase waiting times at passport control, raising the risk of missed flights during the holiday season.

New border procedures expected to slow passenger processing

Under the EES, travellers may be required to scan their passports, provide fingerprints and have a facial image captured when entering or leaving the Schengen Area.

According to Ryanair, airports currently lack the staffing levels, border control kiosks and operational readiness needed to process large passenger volumes efficiently. The airline says airports including Tenerife South, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Málaga, Milan Bergamo, Kraków and Paris Beauvais are already experiencing operational pressure, with further congestion expected as summer traffic reaches its peak.

Airline renews appeal to European governments

Ryanair says it has repeatedly raised its concerns with governments in the countries expected to be most affected and has urged them to make use of the option under EU legislation to postpone implementation until September.

The airline argues that, despite the potential impact on travellers and airport operations during the holiday period, no action has yet been taken to avoid widespread disruption.

Ryanair warns against introducing the system during peak season

"With the summer holidays beginning and Europe's busiest travel period now underway, it is clear that the EES is not ready to handle peak summer passenger volumes. Passengers and families should not become guinea pigs for an unproven border control system that risks causing long queues, missed flights and unnecessary stress at airports this summer.

The solution is straightforward: the rollout of the EES should be postponed until September, as other EU countries, including Greece, have already done. Ryanair once again calls on European governments to delay implementation in order to protect passengers, families and the smooth operation of airports during the summer holidays, rather than exposing holidaymakers to unnecessary chaos at passport control," said Neal McMahon, Chief Operations Officer of Ryanair.