Wait times at European borders are set to increase with the implementation of a new regulation starting in September. The EU has been facing significant queues at borders since April when the new Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully enforced, affecting all British travelers entering Europe.

Under the EES, travelers entering a Schengen country must register, involving the capture of their photographs and fingerprints. This registration process has led to extensive delays at border control in various European airports, resulting in travelers experiencing prolonged waiting times and some missing their flights.

Starting from September 6, a temporary flexibility provision that allows EU member states to halt EES checks in exceptional circumstances, such as long queues, is due to expire. Despite requests from industry groups to extend this flexibility, the EU border security agency Frontex has confirmed that it will not be renewed in September.

With the looming expiration of the flexibility allowance, countries could face renewed long queues at airports. Issues have also arisen with the new system, including challenges with fingerprinting elderly individuals. Additionally, airlines like Air France-KLM have resorted to shutting off the system during busy times to maintain smooth operations at hubs like Paris and Amsterdam.

Although criticisms have been voiced regarding the EU’s rules, Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, emphasized that it is the responsibility of passengers to allow sufficient time to reach their boarding gate to avoid being left behind. He stated firmly that the airline’s priority is passengers present at the boarding gate when the boarding process begins, emphasizing that the plane will depart without those who are not punctual.

Since April, numerous travelers across different airlines, including Ryanair, have missed their flights due to extensive delays at passport control.