Additional control posts planned

Brussels Airport has announced plans to install eight more control posts for arrivals in December, with six automatic portals expected by early 2027. The goal is to ease delays caused by the European Entry and Exit System (EES), which has affected non-European travelers.

Delays persist despite adjustments

Despite initial changes before the EES was launched, delays at the airport remain high. The system requires additional checks, such as biometric data collection, which has significantly increased the time needed to process each passenger, especially during peak hours.

Expansion of control capacity

The eight new arrival counters will raise the total from twelve to twenty, a 66% increase in capacity. This expansion is being coordinated with authorities and partners, following earlier investments in 2025 that increased manual counters at arrivals and departures but were not enough to offset EES-related delays.

Future automatic portals and challenges

Six automatic portals are set to be added by early 2027, increasing the total to eighteen. However, their use depends on travelers' eligibility, and some non-European visitors must register in the EES beforehand. Additional staff, including trained police officers, will be needed to manage the expanded facilities.

Unused pre-registration kiosks

Sixty pre-registration kiosks installed last year remain unused due to technical issues with public authority suppliers. These kiosks were meant to allow travelers to complete some EES procedures before arriving at the airport, reducing delays at the counters. Their deployment could significantly improve the flow of passengers.

Broader solutions needed

Brussels Airport emphasizes that more than just adding counters is necessary. It calls for better use of automatic equipment and the activation of pre-registration tools to reduce queues effectively. The airport also advocates for European-level flexibility, including allowing certain procedures to be done before arrival and temporarily pausing biometric data registration during long queues, to maintain security while improving efficiency.