Catastrophe avoided at European airports

The new automated border control system in the European Union did not lead to the predicted chaos, despite causing long lines at airports in Germany and France, according to Eurocontrol. The system, called the Entry-Exit System (EES), was implemented in April 2025 and has been the subject of concerns from airlines and airport managers.

Airlines predicted chaos

Airlines and some airport managers had warned earlier in the year that the EES would cause significant disruptions to air traffic. Ryanair, the largest airline in Europe by passenger numbers, criticized the system as "poorly designed" and said passengers were bearing the brunt of its issues.

Technical problems delayed travelers

The EES has experienced several technical malfunctions since its launch, particularly in Italy, where problems with automated kiosks led to long queues and some passengers missing their flights. In Milan last April, over 100 passengers on an Easyjet flight to Manchester missed their departure due to waiting times of more than three hours.

Concerns over system capacity

In June 2025, airport managers in France raised concerns about the system's reliability, with some calling for a temporary halt to its use. Marco Troncone, head of airports in Rome, warned that the system was not equipped to handle peak travel volumes and suggested that only by reducing its use could a disaster be avoided.

Eurocontrol reports limited impact

Eurocontrol’s report, covering six Schengen countries with high summer air traffic, found that the impact of the EES was limited and decreased during the summer season. The report noted that the most significant issues occurred in Germany and France, primarily between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Improvements seen in August

According to Eurocontrol, while there was a marked deterioration in June, the situation improved in August compared to the previous year. The share of passengers affected by delays linked to the EES increased slightly but showed signs of stabilization by the end of the summer season.