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EU leaders call 'urgent meeting' as airport chaos grows
The Points Guy • • business
Key Points:
- The European Union's new Entry and Exit System (EES), launched in April to implement biometric checks at Schengen Area borders, has caused significant delays and long lines at major European airports, disrupting passenger departures and arrivals.
- European airports have called for "immediate intervention" from EU leaders due to wait times of up to five hours, flight delays, and missed connections, with concerns escalating ahead of the peak summer travel season.
- Ryanair has urged EU authorities to suspend the EES until September, criticizing the system as unprepared for high passenger volumes and warning it creates unnecessary stress and travel disruptions.
- EU officials have responded by calling an urgent meeting with industry leaders but maintain that the EES impact is limited at most airports, placing responsibility on member states to ensure adequate border control staffing and infrastructure.
- Travelers flying to or from Europe are advised to arrive at airports at least three hours early, prepare for long waits in potentially uncomfortable conditions, stay hydrated, and monitor gate information closely to avoid missing flights amid ongoing border control delays.
