Airports Demand EU Border System Overhaul Over Delays

Non-EU travelers face airport border queues of up to five hours across Schengen countries.

European airport and airline trade groups now demand urgent changes to the Entry/Exit System.

The digital system records non-EU visitors entering or leaving the Schengen zone.

It launched in October 2025 and became fully active in April.

First-time border crossings require travelers to submit fingerprints and facial images.

Airports Council International Europe and Airlines for Europe reported severe airport border delays.

Wait times routinely exceed two hours at busy European airport hubs.

Peak traffic times bring waits reaching five hours in extreme cases.

Long queues cause passengers to miss flights and connecting flights.

Trade groups blamed staff shortages and unstable border control software.

They also cited duplicate verification steps by kiosks and border guards.

The groups want authorities to stop duplicate checks and fix software issues.

They also want national border officials to pause checks during long queues.

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner placed responsibility on individual member states.

He urged member states to prepare for upcoming holiday travel peaks.

Brunner noted the system recorded almost 230 million Schengen entries and exits.

Border guards refused entry to 80,000 people, including 2,000 security threats.

Travelers leaving Copenhagen for non-Schengen destinations face potential border disruptions.

Source: The Local