Ryanair Warns European Airports Unprepared for Summer Passport Control System

Ryanair has issued a warning to travelers flying to and from Europe this summer about long delays at passport control due to the new European Union Entry/Exit System (EES). The low-cost airline urges European governments to postpone the system's implementation until September, citing significant disruptions already occurring at seven airports including Tenerife South, Palma, Alicante, Malaga, Milan Bergamo, Krakow, and Paris. According to Ryanair, the current infrastructure is insufficient to handle the peak summer travel volume, especially during school holidays when millions of families travel across the continent.

The airline highlighted that passengers are facing extended queues outside terminals, sometimes waiting up to five hours during peak times. Delays have caused flights to be held at gates as passengers are stuck in border control lines. The EES involves passport scanning, fingerprinting, and facial recognition, but Ryanair claims there is a shortage of staff and checkpoints to process the expected passenger load efficiently.

Neil McMahon, Ryanair's Chief Operating Officer, emphasized that the system is not ready for the summer rush and that travelers should not be subjected to long waits, missed flights, and unnecessary stress. He pointed out that some EU countries, such as Greece, have already delayed EES implementation and called on other governments to follow suit to protect passengers and airport operations during the busy school holiday period. Ryanair's appeal aims to prevent chaos and ensure smoother travel experiences this summer.