Airlines Demand EU Action Over Hours-Long Airport Border Delays

Non-EU residents traveling outside the Schengen area face severe airport border delays.

European airport and airline groups are demanding immediate action from EU authorities.

The delays stem from the Entry Exit System introduced in October 2025.

Non-EU short-term visitors must register fingerprints and facial images when entering.

Waiting times at Schengen external borders now routinely exceed two hours.

Peak waiting times at some border crossings have reached five hours.

These long queues cause travelers to miss flights and connecting transfers.

Delays are severe at airports in Italy, Spain, and cross-Channel ports.

Industry groups blame staff shortages and unstable border computer systems.

They also cite a lack of automated border control gates.

Airlines want authorities to stop double verifications by kiosks and guards.

They also want rules restored that allow pausing checks during long queues.

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner placed responsibility on member states.

He urged national governments to fix congestion before the Christmas holidays.

Almost 230 million entries and exits were recorded since system launch.

About 80,000 entries were refused during this period.

The Local reported these developments this week.