Airlines are calling to suspend new border checks just weeks before summer travel chaos

If you’ve got a flight to Spain booked this summer, there’s something happening behind the scenes that could have an impact on your journey, and it’s probably not something you were expecting. As airports get ready for the busiest weeks of the year, airlines are raising concerns over one issue they believe could slow passengers down just when millions of people are heading off on holiday.

It’s become such a talking point that they’ve now made an unusual request before the summer rush really gets underway. So, what’s happened, why are airlines asking for a last-minute change, and could it affect your holiday?

Airlines say the biggest problems are still to come

With passenger numbers expected to soar over the coming weeks, airlines and airport operators across Europe are asking for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) to be temporarily suspended whenever airports become too busy to keep queues under control.

They say they’ve already seen the new system cause lengthy delays at some airports, with reports of passengers waiting for hours to clear border controls. In some cases, travellers have missed flights or onward connections because they simply couldn’t get through the queues quickly enough. Their biggest concern is that what has happened so far could be just the beginning.

July and August are by far the busiest months of the year for air travel, and Spain is one of Europe’s most popular summer destinations. Every day, thousands of flights arrive and depart from airports including Málaga, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona and Madrid. Airlines say that if airports are already struggling during quieter periods, the summer holiday rush could push the system beyond its limits.

So what are they actually asking for?

The industry says it supports the new system in the long term. What it’s asking for is a practical backup plan for the busiest days of the year. The proposal is straightforward. If queues start building to the point where passengers risk missing flights, border staff would temporarily return to manual passport stamping until things are under control. 

Once the backlog has cleared, the digital checks would resume. Airlines believe that flexibility could make a huge difference during peak travel periods, helping airports keep passengers moving without creating hours-long bottlenecks.

What does this mean if you’re flying to Spain?

Right now, nothing changes for passengers. The request has been made, but travellers should still expect the current border checks to remain in place unless something changes before the busiest holiday period begins. That doesn’t mean every airport will be affected, and it certainly doesn’t mean every traveller will face long queues. Many people may pass through without any noticeable delays.

But if you’re travelling during the holidays, over a weekend or at one of Spain’s busiest airports, it’s worth allowing more time than you normally would. Nobody wants to start their holiday watching the departure board while stuck in a passport queue, and that’s exactly the situation airlines say they’re trying to avoid. If you’re travelling with children, have an early morning flight or are catching a connecting service, building in extra time could save a lot of unnecessary stress.

Spain’s airports are about to get a lot busier

The timing of the request isn’t a coincidence. Spain is expecting another huge summer for tourism, with millions of visitors set to arrive over the coming weeks. That means airports will be handling some of the highest passenger numbers of the entire year.

Even small delays at passport control can quickly snowball when thousands of people arrive within a short space of time. A process that takes just a little longer for each traveller can eventually leave hundreds of people waiting in line. That’s why airlines are pushing for temporary flexibility before the busiest period really gets underway, rather than waiting until airports are already overwhelmed.

For now, travellers should plan ahead

Whether the request is accepted or not, the advice for anyone flying this summer remains much the same. Check your airline’s recommended arrival time before travelling and don’t leave it until the last minute to get to the airport, particularly if you’re flying during peak holiday dates.

Most journeys are still expected to run smoothly, but airlines believe giving airports the option to temporarily step back from the new border checks during periods of exceptional congestion could help avoid unnecessary delays when millions of people are travelling at once. For now, holidaymakers can only wait and see whether that request is granted. Until then, if Spain is on your summer travel plans, arriving a little earlier than usual could be the simplest way to make sure your holiday gets off to the right start.