Ryanair Urges Spain to Suspend EU Border System EES Until September 2026

Ryanair has called on Spain to suspend the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) until September, warning that the biometric border checks are causing thousands of European passengers to miss flights each week. In a letter to Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the airline argues that the system, in force since April 10, is creating queues of one to two hours at major airports during the peak tourist season.

What Is the EES and Why Is It Causing Chaos?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the European Union's new automated border control system for non-EU travelers. It records biometric data—fingerprints and facial images—every time a third-country national enters or exits the Schengen area. The system went live on April 10, just as the high tourist season began.

For Spain, the EES is particularly sensitive due to the huge volume of British tourists, whose country is no longer in the EU. The new checks add significant time to each passenger's border crossing, and airports are struggling to cope.

Airport Chaos: Queues and Missed Flights

According to Ryanair, passport control waits now exceed one to two hours at airports in Málaga, Alicante, Lanzarote, Tenerife South, Gran Canaria, Reus, and Fuerteventura. The airline blames staff shortages, system crashes, and a lack of sufficient self-service kiosks to handle the traffic.

In some cases, passengers are already missing flights. "Governments across Europe are trying to implement a half-baked computer system during the busiest travel season," Ryanair said in a statement. The airline fears the situation will only worsen as summer traffic peaks.

Why This Matters for Travelers

If you're flying to or from Spain this summer, the EES could add hours to your journey. The delays are not just an inconvenience—they can lead to missed flights, disrupted connections, and ruined vacations. The airline's call to suspend the system highlights the severity of the problem.

Ryanair is demanding that the Spanish government suspend the EES until September, when the peak season ends and the system can be properly tested and improved. The airline also wants more staff and kiosks to be deployed immediately. The background to this story is set out in Andy Burnham Urged to Lobby EU to Suspend EES Border Controls. A related thread runs through EES Border Controls: Burnham Urged to Lobby EU Leaders. Earlier coverage in EES Border Controls: Andy Burnham Urged to Lobby EU Leaders shows how the argument developed.

Key Takeaways

• Ryanair urges Spain to suspend the EES until September due to hour-long queues.
• The EES records biometric data for non-EU travelers entering/exiting Schengen.
• Airports in Málaga, Alicante, and the Canary Islands are among the worst affected.
• Passengers are missing flights, and the situation could worsen in summer.
• Ryanair blames staff shortages, system failures, and insufficient kiosks.

What's Next for the EES?

The Spanish government has not yet responded to Ryanair's request. However, the pressure is mounting as airlines and airports warn of a summer of chaos. The European Commission has previously said it will monitor the rollout and provide support to member states. A closer look at the same subject appears in Andy Burnham Urged to Lobby EU to Waive EES Border Controls. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Ryanair Threatens Zaragoza Flights: Airport Plans Record Growth. The same theme surfaces in Spain's Border Controls After Meloni Spat Detect 8,216 Third-Country, which takes a different angle.

For now, travelers should arrive at the airport earlier than usual and be prepared for longer border control times. If the system is not fixed, more airlines may join Ryanair in calling for a suspension. Context on how this played out before sits in The Longines Grande Classique will mark your most important hours. A companion piece, Spain Heatwave and Wildfire Risks: What Travelers Must Know, approaches the same subject from another angle.

Comparison of Airport Wait Times

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