Holidaymakers warned of six-hour Dover queues due to EES gridlock

Ryanair and several airport officials have raised alarms over the new EU Entry-Exit System (EES), warning that it is causing significant delays and chaos at European borders, particularly during the upcoming summer travel season. The system, designed to digitize border control processes for travelers from outside the EU, has reportedly led to long lines, missed flights, and financial losses for passengers. These concerns have prompted calls for a temporary delay in implementing the system until after the summer holidays.

The EES requires non-EU nationals to register their biometric data upon entry into the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries. This information is then checked when they depart. The European Commission claims the system will enhance security and streamline future travel. However, the transition has not gone smoothly. At Berlin’s airports, where Ryanair and Wizz Air operate, passengers have reported waiting up to two hours for border checks. Similar problems have been observed at other major European airports, including Tenerife South, Palma, Alicante, Malaga, Milan Bergamo, Krakow, and Paris Beauvais.

Ryanair’s Chief Operations Officer, Neal McMahon, criticized the system as a “half-baked passport control system” that risks creating long queues, missed flights, and unnecessary stress for passengers. He emphasized that families should not be treated as test subjects for an unproven system during the busy summer travel period. Passengers have shared stories of missing flights due to extended wait times, with some paying hundreds of pounds for last-minute replacements. One traveler described spending nearly two hours in a queue at Rome’s airport, only to miss her flight entirely.

In addition to the challenges at air terminals, the EES has caused significant bottlenecks at the Port of Dover, which handles a large volume of cross-channel traffic. The port’s chief executive, Doug Bannister, warned that summer queues could be even longer than those experienced during the May half-term break. He expressed concern that the current setup, which relies on French authorities to activate the necessary technology, might lead to severe congestion. The 84 kiosks installed to process biometric data remain unused, forcing French border police to manually create EES files for car passengers while coach passengers have already been processed.

Bannister highlighted the broader implications of these delays, noting that prolonged gridlock could hinder emergency services, disrupt local businesses, and jeopardize summer weddings in the region. There is also a risk that deliveries of essential goods—such as food, medicine, and car parts—could be delayed due to the increased traffic. Logistics UK’s chief executive, Ben Fletcher, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for flexible solutions to ensure the smooth flow of trade during the summer.

The inconsistencies in the EES rollout have drawn criticism from both airlines and airport operators. Airlines UK and Airlines for America have pointed out that the system’s implementation has been uneven, with some areas functioning better than others. They have urged the European Commission and member states to take immediate action to address the shortcomings before the peak travel season begins. Meanwhile, the European Commission has stated its willingness to provide additional support, though concrete steps have yet to be outlined.

As the summer approaches, the pressure mounts on European authorities to resolve the technical and logistical challenges associated with the EES. Without swift improvements, the system risks becoming a major obstacle to seamless travel within the Schengen Area, potentially affecting millions of travelers and disrupting the regional economy. For now, the focus remains on finding solutions that can mitigate the current chaos and ensure a smoother experience for all involved.