British Airways Issues New Arrival Guidelines as EES Passport Control Delays Hit European Airports

As the EU's New Entry/Exit System Causes Hours-Long Airport Queues, British Airways Is Urging Passengers to Rethink How Early They Arrive

British Airways has issued updated travel guidelines urging passengers on short-haul European flights to arrive at airports earlier than usual, as the EU's newly enforced Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to cause significant disruption at border control points across the Schengen Area.

The announcement comes just days after the EES reached full mandatory implementation on 10 April 2026, marking the end of its phased rollout that began in October 2025. Since then, airports across Spain, France, Portugal, and Italy have seen passport control queues stretch for hours, with some travellers reporting wait times of up to three hours — and in several cases, missing their flights entirely.

The Entry/Exit System is a digital border management programme introduced by the European Union to replace traditional passport stamping for non-EU nationals travelling within the Schengen Zone. Under the new system, all travellers — including British nationals — are required to complete a biometric registration process at the border, which involves a facial photograph and four fingerprint scans.

While returning travellers with an existing EES profile on record can expect faster processing, first-time registrants are experiencing the brunt of the disruption. Industry experts note that registering a single traveller through the new system can take up to four times longer than a traditional passport stamp, creating significant bottlenecks, particularly at busy international hubs.​​​​​​​

Passengers flying to some of the UK's most beloved European destinations have been among the hardest hit. Routes to Tenerife, Barcelona, and Paris have seen notable disruption throughout April 2026, with a growing number of travellers reporting missed connections and extended terminal waits. British Airways is not alone in facing these challenges — easyJet and TUI have reported similar operational pressures across their European networks.

The advice from both airlines and travel industry bodies is consistent: plan and build in extra time. Passengers should keep their boarding passes — digital or printed — as proof of entry and exit, given that physical passport stamps are no longer issued. The EU has also launched a Travel to Europe mobile app, which allows travellers to pre-load their passport data up to 72 hours before arrival, potentially reducing time spent at biometric kiosks.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all European trips this summer, as airlines are not legally obligated to compensate passengers for delays caused by border control processes.

At Crystal Travel, we are closely monitoring the evolving EES situation to keep your travel plans as smooth and stress-free as possible. If you have a European trip booked or are planning one this summer, our team is on hand to advise you on the best departure strategies and travel preparation tips. Get in touch with us today.