Christmas Chaos at EES Airports
The holidays this 2025 are unveiling cracks in the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), amid chaos across airports.
While it aims to promote faster border checks, many travelers have to deal with long queues and confusing procedures. In most cases, passengers had to wait for over three hours, and during peak travel days, at that.
Overall, the EES effectively replaces manual passport stamping through biometric registration. But its initial rollout so far has only resulted in massive holiday passenger volumes.
Airport operators have expressed exasperation over the timing of the system’s implementation. At the same time, EU officials emphasize that this disruption can be managed and will soon subside.
Nevertheless, travelers, carriers, and border agents consistently complain of mounting pressure on the ground.
What the EES Aims For
The EES aims to modernize how the EU tracks non-EU travelers. Specifically, it records fingerprints, facial images, and entry and exit dates.
In particular, the system applies to short-stay visitors from non-EU countries, including the UK. Once fully operational, it will calculate overstays automatically.
EU officials argue this improves security and migration oversight. In theory, it also eliminates manual passport stamping.
Preparation has been led in part by Frontex, which coordinates external border management. Earlier this year, Frontex said groundwork was in place for a smooth expansion.
However, the holiday rollout suggests readiness varies widely by location.
Long Queues and Missed Flights
During December, airports across Europe reported severe EES-related congestion at border checkpoints. Consequently, passengers missed flights and connections.
According to Euronews, some travelers waited up to three hours to clear border control. In contrast, average waits previously ranged from 15 to 30 minutes.
Hence, airports struggled with limited biometric kiosks. At the same time, fallback manual checks slowed processing further.
Staff shortages compounded the problem. Meanwhile, many border guards were still learning new procedures.
In several hubs, queues spilled into terminal corridors. As a result, airport safety teams intervened to manage crowd flow.
Statistics from airport groups show passenger traffic rose by nearly 12% year over year in December. Yet EES processing capacity increased far more slowly.
Pushback Against EES Expansion
Airport operators have responded with unusually blunt criticism. Most notably, ACI Europe called for a temporary halt.
Specifically, ACI Europe warned that expanding EES under current conditions risks systemic failure. Therefore, it urged EU authorities to pause further deployment.
In a statement, ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec said,
“Significant discomfort is already being inflicted upon travelers,” he remarked, speaking to Lara News. “Unless all the operational issues we are raising today are fully resolved within the coming weeks, increasing this registration threshold… will inevitably result in much more severe congestion and systemic disruption for airports and airlines. This will possibly involve serious safety hazards.”
Furthermore, the group also represents more than 500 airports across Europe. Together, they handle over 90% of European air traffic.
Airlines echoed these concerns. They argue that delays damage schedules and increase operational costs.
Nevertheless, EU officials maintain that scaling issues are expected. They also stress that long-term benefits outweigh short-term disruption.
Uneven EES Impact
So far, implementation challenges vary sharply by country. As a result, traveler experiences differ dramatically.
France
French airports experienced some of the worst congestion. Paris Charles de Gaulle reported extended queues during peak days.
French authorities acknowledged the problems publicly. Importantly, they promised additional staff and upgraded processes by early 2026.
According to government estimates, biometric processing currently takes 90 seconds per traveler. Officials aim to reduce that time to under 45 seconds.
Czech Republic
Czech authorities issued holiday travel advisories. They urged passengers to arrive earlier and carry proper documentation.
Border officials emphasized that first-time EES registration takes longer. Therefore, frequent travelers should expect delays on initial use.
Croatia
Croatian embassies warned of delayed border procedures. The impact was felt especially at land crossings and regional airports.
Tourism officials expressed concern about reputational damage. However, they also confirmed compliance with EU requirements.
Added Confusion
Notably, the EES does not apply only to tourists. It also affects residency card holders and cross-border workers.
In France, authorities issued reminders about documentation rules. Residents must present valid cards alongside passports.
However, messaging has been inconsistent. As a result, some travelers arrived unprepared.
Legal experts warn that this confusion increases the risk of secondary checks. That, in turn, adds to border congestion.
Clearer guidance, they argue, could reduce delays significantly.
Solutions Amid EES Pressure
EU institutions acknowledge the rollout has been difficult. Still, they reject claims that EES is fundamentally flawed.
According to Frontex, several improvements are already underway. These include more kiosks, refined software, and enhanced training.
By mid-2026, officials expect processing capacity to double at major hubs. They also plan better coordination with airlines.
Yet skepticism remains high. Airport groups question whether fixes will arrive before peak summer travel.
For now, travelers are advised to plan ahead. Arriving earlier remains the most reliable mitigation strategy.
Still Finding Its Footing
The EES is not going away. Instead, it represents a major shift in EU border management.
However, the holiday chaos revealed a gap between ambition and execution. Bridging that gap will determine public confidence going forward.
If promised upgrades materialize, EES could stabilize in 2026. Until then, disruption remains part of the journey.
Photo by Pim de Boer on Unsplash
