Ryanair threatens to axe all flights to holiday hotspot as EU checks spark chaos

There may be a halt in flights to Malta if the situation improves (stock)(Image: Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Ryanair has indicated that all flights to Malta might be scrapped as bosses say that "Europe is utterly unprepared" for the recently implemented EU Entry/Exit System (EES).

Recent reports found that passengers were left stranded on the tarmac for nearly 20 minutes because of the queues forming at Malta International Airport, where new biometric checks are required.

David O'Brien, one of Ryanair's executive officers and the CEO of Malta Air, said: "If we find ourselves with significant congestion and delay, we'd have to redirect capacity away from Malta to other destinations and that's not something we'd like to do."

Malta is just one of the destinations in Europe which has brought in the EES checks. O'Brien added that "Europe is utterly unprepared in a general sense" and that while the airline has not yet experienced significant delays at Malta Airport, it is concerned about the upcoming summertime period.

Alan Borg, CEO of Malta International Airport told The Times of Malta: "We are working hand in hand with the Malta Police Force to make sure we can do everything possible to support them in this important initiative.

"It is what it is. We need to find ways to improve the processing time over the summer period."

Malta is hugely popular with Brits as a holiday destination. Last year, Ryanair carried more than half of total passengers to Malta and of those travelling to the country - with the UK being the biggest market.

Delays have also been reported at Brussels, Lisbon and Prague airports. Greece has even decided to halt the system completely.

On April 18, a statement from the Greek Embassy announced that Brits are "exempt" from biometrics at all Greek border crossing points.

Eleni Skarveli, the director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, said: "The exemption of British passport holders from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points, effective from 10 April 2026, is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and ease congestion at airports.

"UK travellers will no longer need to undergo additional EES biometric procedures, ensuring a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece."