Airlines Urge EU to Suspend New Entry/Exit System Amid 90-180 Day Chaos

The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES), fully launched on April 10, 2026, has sparked widespread airport disruptions, prompting airlines to demand its suspension during an additional 90 180 day flexibility period allowed by regulators. Major groups like Airlines for Europe (A4E) and Airports Council International (ACI) Europe reported queues stretching two to four hours at key hubs, leading to missed flights and biometric enrollment pauses at sites including Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports in Portugal. On April 14, industry leaders escalated calls for the European Commission to permit full EES halts where wait times become excessive, especially ahead of the summer peak. Passengers from non-EU countries, particularly the UK, faced the brunt of the chaos, with families incurring significant extra hotel and flight costs after delays stranded them overnight. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary labeled the rollout a catastrophe, blaming staffing shortages, technical glitches, and poor organization for bottlenecks that trapped travelers even after boarding calls. EasyJet echoed frustrations, pressing border authorities to maximize permitted flexibilities to avert further unacceptable delays beyond the initial 90 180 day adjustment window. A4E Managing Director Ourania Georgoutsakou and ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec stressed that suspensions are vital through the busy season to protect passengers and operations. While EES aims to replace manual passport stamps with automated biometrics for faster long-term processing, its debut has exposed infrastructure strains, with airlines warning of ongoing risks without immediate relief.