Airlines Demand EU Action as Airport Border Delays Reach Five Hours

Travelers leaving the Schengen area face ongoing border delays at European airports.

European airline and airport associations are calling for urgent system changes.

The EU digital border system has caused severe travel disruption since its rollout.

At peak traffic times, travelers wait up to five hours at border controls.

Wait times regularly exceed two hours at several major airports.

Delays are worst at airports in Italy and Spain.

Non-EU short-stay visitors must register fingerprints and photos when entering Schengen border crossings.

The system was introduced in October 2025 and fully implemented in April 2026.

It tracks entries and exits across 29 Schengen countries.

Industry groups blame staff shortages and technical issues for the long queues.

They also cite unstable IT systems and limited self-service kiosks.

Airlines want authorities to speed up automated border controls for non-EU citizens.

They urge officials to stop double verification at kiosks and guards.

They also want states to pause border checks during peak congestion.

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said responsibility lies with member states.

He urged national governments to act before the Christmas holiday travel period.

The system has registered nearly 230 million entries and exits so far.

It has blocked 80,000 unauthorized entries, including 2,000 security threats.

The story was reported by The Local.