Schengen Entry/Exit System Under Scrutiny as Peak Travel Threatens Longer Queues

Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout is generating reported waits of up to two hours at airport border control today and risks escalating to four hours or more during July–August peak travel, with the current stage requiring registration of roughly 35% of third‑country nationals entering the zone.

Immediate operational issues at external borders

Airports, major carriers and international air transport bodies point to three concrete bottlenecks driving the delays: chronic understaffing at passport control desks, unresolved border automation technology faults, and low uptake of the Frontex pre‑registration app among Schengen states. The progressive timeline set by Regulation 2025/1534 removes simple suspension options beyond early July unless emergency mechanisms under the Schengen Border Code are activated.

What the transport industry is asking for

Leading organizations — ACI EUROPE, Airlines for Europe (A4E), and IATA — have written to Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, urging urgent review and operational flexibility. Their core asks include:

• Temporary ability for Member States to partially or fully suspend EES until October 2026 if needed;
• Immediate investment in border staffing and technical troubleshooting;
• Coordinated rollout with clear fallback options during the summer peak.

Impacts on passengers, airports, and transfer services

Extended border delays cascade through the travel chain. Passengers face missed connections, longer time in terminals and increased anxiety over onward bookings. Airports experience gate occupancy spikes and disrupted turnaround windows. For taxi and transfer operators, the effects are tangible: drivers encounter unpredictable wait times, booking schedules slip, and fares can rise as idle time or last‑minute reassignments increase operational costs.

How transfer operators can adapt

• Factor border delay windows into driver schedules and customer ETA estimates.
• Offer flexible pick‑up windows or meet‑and‑greet services to reduce passenger stress.
• Use pre‑booking platforms that show exact vehicle make/model and driver ratings to reassure customers.
• Consider dynamic pricing for extended waits and add transparent fare information to the booking flow.

Practical advice for travelers at a glance

To have a mind to reduce surprises: arrive earlier for flights into Schengen, pre‑register on any available apps, and choose transfer services that publish vehicle details and driver credentials. If your itinerary depends on tight connections or ground pickups at busy airports, pre‑book private transfers with confirmed wait policies and clear fare breakdowns.

The operational disconnect highlighted by Olivier Jankovec (ACI EUROPE), Ourania Georgoutsakou (A4E) and Thomas Reynaert (IATA) points to reputational risk for Europe as a destination if delays become systemic. The organizations emphasize flexibility in rollout timing to protect passenger experience and airline schedules.

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In summary, the current EES rollout presents measurable risks to airport flow, passenger timelines and the wider ground transport market. Airlines and airports report measurable queue growth and call for pause or flexibility under Regulation 2025/1534 to avoid multi‑hour waits. For travelers and service providers, the remedies are operational (staffing, tech fixes, pre‑registration) and behavioral (earlier arrivals, pre‑booked private transfers). Platforms such as LocalsRide.com help bridge gaps by offering transparent booking with exact vehicle and driver details, clear fares and flexible wait options so you can book the best private transfer to your city destination, airport or final seat with confidence about price, service and timing.