Airport congestion due to new EU system: 'Only Europeans can invent something like this'

At Frankfurt Airport, waiting times for travelers have doubled during the summer months this year due to the implementation of the new electronic border control system, EES, according to data published by the Financial Times. On July 11, 2026, the longest wait recorded was 120 minutes, compared to 60 minutes in the previous year. The increase has caused frustration among passengers, particularly those arriving from outside the European Union. The EES system, introduced by the European Union in April 2026, requires non-EU citizens to register upon their first entry, involving fingerprint scanning, photography, and personal information input. This process has led to delays at major airports, including Frankfurt, where staff confirmed that the new border controls have disrupted flight departures and caused traffic congestion. The system aims to enhance security by tracking entries and exits, identifying overstayers, and assisting law enforcement agencies in locating missing persons. Travel and tourism industries had previously warned that the new system could lead to significant delays, as airport authorities may not be able to process travelers quickly enough. Oliver Maxfield, founder of the analytics platform Qsensor, noted a sharp rise in concerns among British and North American tourists regarding how long they would need to wait in lines. He observed that the extended waiting times were causing growing dissatisfaction among international visitors. Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, strongly criticized the EES system, arguing that registration should be allowed through the internet instead of requiring physical presence at checkpoints. In a statement to investors earlier in August, he remarked that only Europeans could imagine such inefficiencies. Ryanair reported serious delays at approximately 15 airports, highlighting the operational challenges faced by airlines operating within the EU. The EES system is designed to improve external border security by recording entries and exits, detecting overstayers, and aiding in the search for missing individuals. However, some airports have temporarily suspended parts of manual checks, especially for passengers who must go through physical verification. Automated lanes are primarily used by EU nationals, who do not require registration under the system. In Munich, data shows that longer waiting times have mainly affected passengers going through manual inspections. While automated lanes are mostly utilized by EU citizens, many airports have temporarily halted certain checks, including fingerprint collection. These temporary suspensions were initially set to end in September, but eight EU member states, along with Switzerland, requested an extension. The European Commission is currently in discussions with these countries regarding the possibility of prolonging the exemptions. A spokesperson for the European Commission stated that the agency is engaged in constructive talks with several member states where border issues persist after the summer season. The commission emphasized that the average registration time in the EES system is around 70 seconds and that the impact on travelers from outside the EU is generally limited. It also highlighted the security benefits, noting that over 160 million entries and exits have been recorded since the system’s launch. Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways, acknowledged that the system has caused problems at some airports but claimed it has not significantly impacted the company's overall operations. Kenton Jarvis, CEO of EasyJet, urged a “common sense” approach, calling for action to prevent passengers from standing for three hours. His comments reflect growing pressure on authorities to address the logistical challenges posed by the new system.