Ryanair raises concerns over summer airport delays linked to new EU passport system Credit : Nicolas Economou, Shutterstock
If you are flying through France this summer, there is a real chance your journey could slow down at passport control. Ryanair has asked the French government to pause the new Entry Exit System until September, warning that the current setup is already causing long queues and could lead to missed flights during the busiest travel period of the year.
The airline says passengers are already waiting up to two hours at some airports. For anyone travelling from Spain via France, or flying into the country from outside the EU, that could quickly become a problem as holiday traffic builds.
At the centre of the issue is a system designed to modernise borders but not yet fully ready to cope with summer demand.
What is the Entry Exit System and who it affects
The Entry Exit System, often shortened to EES, is a new EU border control process for travellers from outside the European Union.
Instead of a simple passport stamp, passengers now need to provide biometric data when entering the Schengen area. That includes a facial photo and fingerprints, which are stored to track entries and exits.
In the long term, the system is meant to replace manual checks and improve border security. But right now, the rollout is still incomplete.
Airports have installed self service kiosks, but many are not fully in use. As a result, most travellers are still being processed at border desks, one by one, which takes longer.
The people most affected are non EU travellers, including those coming from the UK. Even residents with valid permits or long stay visas can get caught in the same queues, because they are not always able to use automated gates.
For families or large groups, the delay can add up quickly.
Why airlines are raising concerns now
Ryanair is not questioning the system itself. The concern is timing.
Summer is the peak travel season in Europe. Airports are at their busiest, flights are full and any slowdown at border control can create a knock on effect across the whole journey.
The airline says the current situation is not ready for that level of pressure.
According to Ryanair, airports do not yet have enough staff or working equipment to handle the extra steps required by the system. The result is long queues, confusion and growing frustration among passengers.
France’s main airport operator has also warned about the rollout, adding that concerns are not limited to airlines.
One of the biggest issues is that the tools designed to speed things up are not fully operational yet. Without them, border checks rely heavily on manual processing.
That is where delays begin.
Passengers already feeling the impact
Reports from travellers suggest the problem is already visible. At airports such as Beauvais, Marseille and Nantes, passengers have experienced waits of one to two hours at passport control. For those with tight connections, that can mean missed flights or stressful last minute runs through the terminal.
There is also confusion around which queue to join. One traveller described being directed to the wrong line despite holding a residency document. She ended up waiting for hours alongside other passengers while biometric checks were carried out.
Situations like this are not unusual when a new system is introduced, but they highlight how small issues can quickly become bigger ones during busy periods.
Why September is being suggested
Ryanair is asking for a delay until after the summer peak for a simple reason.
By September, travel volumes drop and airports have more time to adapt. Staff can be trained properly, systems can be tested under less pressure and any technical issues can be resolved before the next busy period.
The airline has pointed to Greece, where authorities have reportedly chosen to delay the system until after summer, as an example of a more cautious approach.
EU rules allow countries to postpone the rollout temporarily if it risks disrupting border operations. That option is now being pushed as the most practical solution.
For now, France has not confirmed any change in plans.
What travellers should do before flying
With no official pause announced, travellers should prepare for delays.
Arriving at the airport earlier than usual is a sensible step, especially for flights leaving France or entering the Schengen area from outside the EU.
It is also worth checking documents in advance and being ready for biometric checks at the border. Passengers with connecting flights should allow extra time between arrivals and departures where possible.
While not every journey will be affected, the risk of delays is higher than usual.
A system that may improve but needs time
The Entry Exit System is not going away. Once fully operational, it is expected to make border control more efficient and reduce the need for manual checks. But getting there takes time.
Right now, the system is in a transition phase. Some parts are in place, others are not, and airports are still adapting. That is where the tension lies. Introduce it too early, and passengers face delays. Wait too long, and progress slows.
For travellers this summer, the reality sits somewhere in the middle. The system is coming. It just may not be fully ready yet.
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