The airline has issued guidance online after a passenger shared their concerns
The new system has meant long waiting times for many passengers across Europe(Image: Getty )
EasyJet Holidays has responded after passengers shared concerns online that they may miss their flights due to long queues at popular European airports. As the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to roll out across the continent, passengers face long waits because it requires non-EU travellers to register biometric data, such as fingerprints and photos, on arrival, replacing passport stamps.
The new automated digital border system launched on October 12, 2025, and is expected to be fully operational in the Schengen Area by April 10, 2026. A statement on Gov.uk reads: “EES may take each passenger extra time to complete, so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.”
The countries in the Schengen area include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Many airports are reportedly facing long border check queues due to the new system.
The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen area, so EES is not required when travelling to either country. Gov.uk adds: “You may also be asked to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you exit the Schengen area. The checks may take slightly longer than previously, so be prepared to wait during busy times.”
People have taken to social media to share their concerns about missing their flights due to long passport control queues, including EasyJet passengers. One woman, called Jenny, who goes by the username @MunchkinMumsie on X, posted about her worries of not getting through border control on time for her upcoming flight home.
She said: “Hi @EasyJetholidays, I’m returning home from Palma tomorrow, our coach transfer is picking us up at 12.30, our flight is at 15.40 and we are 90 minutes away from the airport. I’m worried this will not give us enough time to get through the airport with my child, will this be ok?”
A spokesperson replied: “Hello Jenny, thanks for reaching out. Our transport providers are the local experts and will use their knowledge of the destination and airport experience to calculate your transfer pick up time to ensure your journey to the airport is stress free and that you arrive with enough time to drop off your bags and clear security. Do let us know if you’d prefer to make your own way, and we’ll be happy to update our suppliers! – Alex.”
Jenny then asked: “If we catch your transfer and don’t get through in time, do you cover all our expenses and book our alternate flight home?” The spokesperson told her: “Yes – our dedicated On Holiday Support teams will be more than happy to assist with rescue flights if required – Alex.”
Jenny responded with: “Thank you, there are lots of posts on Mallorca travel forums of the children’s queue for border control at Palma being 2-3 hours long. It seems crazy you are not arranging transfers for families to get to the airport earlier.”
Updating Jenny with guidance, the spokesperson issued an alert about ‘missed flights’ and what happens. They told her: “If we are alerted to any flights being missed, we will work alongside our in destination teams to address the issue at hand. As it stands, our customers have not advised us of any major issues with flights being missed – Alex.”
In another post in the thread, the spokesperson added: “Please do let us know if you are looking to make your own way to the airport on this occasion, and we’ll be more than happy to update our suppliers. We are unable to assist with adjusting your pick-up time – Alex.”
A statement on Palma Airport’s website reads: “The EES is mainly designed to save time and improve border security. It automates passport checks, identifies travellers who overstay, and helps detect fraudulent documents. It also supports authorities in preventing and investigating terrorism and other serious crimes.”
When passengers find out they might be late to their boarding gate, they should tell their airline using their app, email, or phone. They can also ask airport staff for assistance, since some airports have electric cars or allow passengers with short connections or flights leaving soon to skip to the front of the line.
It is advised that passengers arrive at the airport early to handle any unexpected delays at security or passport control. A spokesperson for ABTA, the association of travel agents and tour operators, says: “We’re advising passengers to go straight to passport control as soon as you have gone through check-in and security; that way you get the EES checks out of the way as early as possible.
“We’re also advising passengers to follow their transport provider’s advice on when to arrive at airports/ports etc. If flying, the usual rule is to arrive at the airport for a flight from Europe at least two hours before, so we’d encourage people to apply that as a minimum, but to also check with their airline and airport.”