EU Commission to Address Airport Queue Backlogs from New Biometric System

Key facts

• The European Commission is initiating new discussions with EU member states to resolve airport queue backlogs.
• The delays are attributed to the new Entry/Exit System (EES), which mandates biometric data collection for non-EU travelers.
• The EES aims to enhance security by identifying criminals and visa overstayers.
• Trade organizations representing airlines and airports have raised serious concerns about the system's impact on travel times.
• Technical problems and insufficient infrastructure have contributed to longer wait times at certain airports.
• Since October 2025, over 43,000 individuals have been prevented from entering the EU due to EES rule violations.

The European Commission is set to initiate discussions with EU member states to mitigate significant delays at airports, stemming from the new Entry/Exit System (EES). This system, which requires non-EU citizens to provide biometric data such as fingerprints and photographs instead of traditional passport stamps, has been phased in since October 2025.

While the EES is designed to bolster security by preventing criminals and visa overstayers from entering the Schengen area, its implementation has been marred by technical issues and insufficient infrastructure at various airports. This has resulted in substantial queues and extended wait times for travelers.

Trade bodies, including Airlines for Europe and the International Air Transport Association, have formally communicated their grave concerns to the Commission regarding the border congestion. In response, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner acknowledged that while the system functions well in most locations, specific airports are experiencing longer waits. He indicated that the Commission would provide additional support to member states still facing challenges.

Since its rollout, the EES has led to 43,728 individuals being stopped from entering the EU for rule violations, including insufficient justification for travel, overstaying visa limits, and attempting to use counterfeit documents.