Major European airline and airport associations have issued a stern warning to the European Commission, declaring that the situation at Schengen border crossings has reached a critical point. The groups, including the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), are demanding urgent action to prevent potential travel mayhem for millions of passengers during the upcoming summer season.
Since October 12, 2025, the 29 countries within the Schengen area—comprising 25 EU member states alongside Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein—have utilized the Entry/Exit System (EES). This digital IT framework replaced manual passport stamping by recording biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, for third-country visitors. The database tracks entries and exits to enforce the 90/180-day stay limit. However, the system has faced significant implementation challenges, with reports of worsening delays at border crossings, particularly during peak periods like the Easter holidays. Italian airports have been notably impacted, with officials in Rome suggesting that checks may need to be postponed during the height of the summer season.
In an open letter addressed to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, industry leaders noted that border control waiting times have surged significantly since the full rollout of the EES in April, sometimes reaching up to five hours. These delays are affecting millions, including elderly travelers, families with children, and persons with reduced mobility. The associations warned that the operational strain—which includes flight delays, missed connections, and half-empty planes departing at gate-closing times—is placing unsustainable pressure on frontline staff at both major hubs and smaller airports alike.
Beyond immediate logistical disruptions, the groups cautioned that the reputation of the European Union and confidence in its regulatory framework are at stake. They are calling for an immediate intervention that would allow member states to temporarily pause the EES whenever necessary and revert to standard border code checks, such as manual stamping. While Schengen countries currently possess the authority to suspend biometric data collection until early September, the industry argues this has not prevented excessive queues. With airports expecting to handle 40 million more passengers in July and August than in the previous two months, industry groups fear challenges will inevitably intensify.
The associations are formally requesting the establishment of a permanent operational flexibility mechanism to allow for EES suspensions until structural issues are resolved. Furthermore, they are urging for adequate staffing levels at airport border crossing points, the stability of the IT systems supporting the sharing of data across the EU, and the EU-wide deployment of an app that would allow passengers to pre-register, reducing pressure at the border.
