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Travel
Jun 12, 2026
Analyzed by Glm 4.5 Flash

EU Border System Delays Expected to Persist for Two Years, Officials Warn

AI Summary
The new EU Entry/Exit System is causing significant border delays that may persist for up to two years as member states adjust to the new biometric registration requirements. Travel industry experts warn that these delays, combined with other global uncertainties, could dampen summer travel demand to EU destinations.

The Lead

The new EU border system that has triggered hours-long delays at major airports may not "stabilise" for two years, according to a senior official from the EU border agency Frontex. The Entry/Exit System (EES) requires non-EU visitors to register personal information and biometrics at borders, creating significant challenges for some member states.

The Implementation Challenges

Uku Särekanno, a director at Frontex, revealed that some EU member states are "struggling" to adopt the EES, which was fully rolled out on April 10. The most difficult aspect is the initial enrollment process where fingerprints and facial images must be collected. Subsequent visits to the EU would be faster as travelers wouldn't need to repeat this process.

The EU has allowed checks to be suspended during peak periods to avoid excessive queues, though this temporary measure is expected to end in September. Countries like France and Greece have already temporarily suspended some biometric checks to prevent travel disruption.

The Impact on Summer Travel

There are growing concerns that the border checks could contribute to a "summer of travel chaos" in Europe. Consumers are becoming nervous about bookings and potential delays, with British travelers already facing significant holdups at border crossings.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the UK travel association Abta, warned that problems with the EES system could hurt demand among British holidaymakers this year. He emphasized that some destinations are experiencing particularly severe issues and urged authorities to use the flexibility allowed under EU regulations to suspend biometric registration when queues become unacceptably long.

Broader Travel Industry Concerns

The EES implementation comes at a challenging time for the travel industry, with holiday bookings for early summer already affected by uncertainty surrounding the conflict in the Middle East and rising living costs. Consumers are increasingly booking their holidays later in the year due to these concerns.

The Middle East conflict has triggered higher global oil prices, with jet fuel costs jumping sharply and potentially leading to increased air fares. Despite these challenges, large numbers of flights have not been cancelled during the crucial summer holiday season, contrary to earlier fears.

Market Response and Future Outlook

Shaun Morton, chief executive of holiday operator On the Beach, noted that while bookings continue to come in, shorter lead times "creates uncertainty and makes planning difficult." He described consumers as "price-sensitive and uncertain" who are booking later due to concerns about inflation, potential fuel shortages, and additional surcharges.

Despite these challenges, Morton still expects the summer travel market to grow overall this year, predicting that the current late booking trend will eventually reverse when conditions improve. However, shares in On the Beach have already fallen 30% this year, reflecting market concerns about the current situation.