**Ryanair Warns of ‘Queue Chaos’ from New EU Border System, Urges Postponement**
Low-cost carrier Ryanair has issued a stark warning regarding the impending launch of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), predicting “queue chaos” at borders and calling for the system to be postponed until after the busy summer holiday period.
The EES is a new automated IT system designed to register non-EU citizens each time they cross an external EU border. It will replace manual stamping of passports and require travelers to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, upon entry and exit.
Ryanair fears that the introduction of such a significant new procedure, especially during the peak summer travel season, will overwhelm border control points. This could lead to extensive delays, missed flights, and significant disruption for millions of passengers. The airline specifically highlights concerns about inadequate infrastructure and staffing at many European airports to handle the additional processing time required by the EES.
In response, Ryanair is urging European governments to push back the implementation date of the EES. The airline advocates for a launch in the autumn, arguing this would allow airports and border agencies more time to prepare and test the system outside of the peak travel period.
The airline’s warning echoes concerns raised by other industry bodies and airports, which have also expressed apprehension about the readiness of the system and its potential impact on passenger flow. While the exact launch date for EES has been delayed several times, it is currently anticipated to go live later this year. The debate now intensifies between the need for enhanced border security and the imperative to maintain smooth travel operations, particularly as Europe gears up for a busy summer.
