Photo: Shutterstock Airports and airlines in Europe are warning of significant disruptions expected during the Easter holiday period this week, due to the entry into full operation of the Schengen Area Entry and Exit System (EES) starting March 31, 2026.
The transition to an advanced stage of the system's implementation occurs amid a busy travel season, raising concerns about prolonged delays at border controls.
The latest data from airports across the continent already indicate worsening waiting times, reaching up to two hours and more during peak hours. This is despite measures taken so far, such as partial or complete suspensions of system processes during peak hours, intended to reduce queues and maintain operational continuity.
As of Tuesday, March 31, the full registration requirement for all passengers from countries that are not part of the EU has begun, and the "transition phase" will end on April 9. After that, it will no longer be possible to fully suspend the system, which heightens concerns about worsening congestion.
European associations ACI and A4E (Airlines for Europe) point to a series of challenges that remain unresolved, including a shortage of personnel at border controls, technical malfunctions at self-service stations, limited use of automatic gates, and concerns about the reliability of the central information system.
The use of the pre-registration app also remains very limited, with only a few countries having begun implementing it.
Against this background, the industry is warning of potential unusual loads for passengers who are not Schengen citizens, due to the obligation to collect biometric data at every border crossing
At the same time, professional bodies are calling on European authorities to maintain the option of fully suspending the system, even during the summer season, to prevent serious harm to operations and the passenger experience.
Alongside the criticism, airports and airlines emphasize that they support the system's goals of strengthening border control and security, but believe that its implementation must be adapted to operational reality and not harm the ongoing functioning of the air system.