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 EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The low-cost airline urges European governments to postpone the system's implementation until September, citing that the infrastructure and staffing are not ready to handle the peak summer travel volume. According to Ryanair, seven airports including Tenerife South, Palma, Alicante, Malaga, Milan Bergamo, Krakow, and Paris are already experiencing significant disruptions, with peak wait times reaching up to five hours.

The airline highlighted that the EES involves passport scanning, fingerprinting, and facial recognition, but current border control facilities lack sufficient personnel and checkpoints to process the expected influx of passengers during school holidays. Ryanair's Chief Operating Officer Neil McMahon stated that passengers and families should not be subjected to a half-prepared system that risks missed flights and unnecessary stress. He pointed out that some EU countries, such as Greece, have already delayed EES activation to September and called on others to follow suit to avoid chaos at airports during the busiest travel period of the year.

Ryanair also noted that some flights have been delayed as passengers remain stuck in long queues outside terminals, sometimes in exposed areas, while planes wait for late arrivals. The airline's open letter from aviation and airport organizations emphasized that airlines are flying with half-empty planes due to gate closures caused by these delays. The company urges immediate action to protect travelers and ensure smooth airport operations throughout the summer holiday season.