Europe's major airports and airlines have called for the European Commission and Member States to allow full or partial suspension of the Schengen Entry-Exit System (EES) throughout the 2026 summer season, citing severe operational disruptions during the Easter travel peak.www.travelextra.iewww.aci-europe.orgwww.regionalgateway.net On March 30, 2026, leaders from Airport Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE) and Airlines for Europe (A4E) reiterated their plea as the system's transition phase ends, warning of mounting risks from mandatory 100% registration of third-country nationals starting March 31.

Wait times at border controls have soared, with queues reaching up to two hours or more at peak periods following partial mandatory registration on March 10, despite temporary suspensions by authorities. ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec and A4E Managing Director Ourania Georgoutsakou stated that passengers face even longer delays over Easter due to unresolved EES challenges, as the system's full rollout—requiring fingerprints, facial scans, and passport data—coincides with high traffic. Border agencies have relied on suspensions to maintain continuity, but these options end after April 9, potentially worsening chaos.www.businesstravelnewseurope.com

The industry emphasizes that such flexibility has been "vital in preventing catastrophic operational disruptions," urging its extension into summer and possibly winter 2026/2027 if technical issues persist. With self-service kiosks installed at sites like Swiss airports, initial slowdowns are expected as biometric profiles build, ahead of the related ETIAS rollout later in 2026.www.visahq.com ACI EUROPE and A4E stress that without safeguards, peak travel could see further deterioration.