EES - Schengen: Chaos at airports with waiting times up to 3 hours and missed flights

-Waiting times at passport control reached 2 to 3 hours during peak periods

Serious problems were recorded from the very first day of full operation of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) in the Schengen area, with airports and airlines calling for greater flexibility in its implementation.

According to a joint statement by ACI EUROPE and Airlines for Europe, the launch of full operations was accompanied by significant delays, operational issues and passengers missing their flights.

The issue had already been highlighted by money-tourism.gr, both regarding changes at Athens International Airport and at the 14 regional airports managed by Fraport Greece.

The EES, which makes the registration of data mandatory for all third-country nationals as of March 31, has been fully implemented without the possibility of a general suspension of the system.

Although the European Commission states that the registration process takes on average 70 seconds when the system operates normally, the reality at airports proved different.

According to initial data:

• Waiting times at passport control reached 2 to 3 hours during peak hours

• Massive flight delays were observed

• Passengers missed flights due to the control procedures

Characteristically, on one flight to the United Kingdom, 51 passengers did not board in time, while in another case the gate closed without passengers and, 90 minutes later, only 12 had reached it.

The heads of the two organizations, Olivier Jankovec and Ourania Georgoutsakou, stressed that immediate intervention is required, noting that authorities should have the ability to fully suspend the system when delays exceed acceptable limits.

As they point out, strengthening border controls cannot come at the expense of airport operations and passenger experience, especially ahead of the summer season, when passenger traffic peaks.

At the same time, concerns are being raised that these problems could damage Europe's image as an easily accessible and reliable tourism and business destination, at a time when air transport is already being tested by geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

Recommendation: Arrive at least 2.5 hours early

The competent authorities emphasize that travelers should arrive at airports at least 2.5 hours before their scheduled departure in order to complete in time:

• check-in

• security screening

• passport control

It is stressed that late arrival at the departure gate may lead even to denial of boarding, especially during the adjustment period to the new system.

Implications for Tourism

The implementation of the EES constitutes one of the most significant changes in the operation of European borders and directly affects:

• airport operations

• airlines

• the traveler experience

For countries such as Greece, with a high volume of international arrivals from outside the EU, the smooth implementation of the system is a critical factor in avoiding congestion and maintaining the quality of the travel experience.

The full implementation of the EES from March 30, 2026 marks the transition to a new, stricter and more technologically advanced border control system.

However, in practice, the initial period is expected to test the resilience of both airports and travelers, with the recommendation to arrive 2.5 hours early now becoming a key rule for avoiding problems.