An airline body has warned British travellers that they could be facing six-hour queues at key holiday hotspots this summer, which could affect some Southampton Airport passengers.
It comes due to the wider rollout of the EU’s Entry and Exit System (EES).
It requires British travellers and other non-EU visitors to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, when entering the Schengen Area.
The new system has received backlash since its introduction, due to causing longer waits for passengers at airports.
Southampton Airport passengers warned of 6-hour airport queues
Airline industry leaders have warned that the new checks could dramatically increase processing times at passport control.
Rafael Schvartzman, vice-president for Europe at IATA, said the system increases passenger processing times from around 20-25 seconds to as much as 90 seconds per traveller, creating a "hard risk" of lengthy queues and missed flights.
He told IATA's annual meeting that places were implementing the system differently, and some did not have the required technology or infrastructure, and kiosks were understaffed, The Times reports.
He added: “What we are seeing is a very hard risk of really challenging times or waiting times, talking about expectations of three, four, five, six hours, which is unacceptable.
"We know for a fact there are many cases where people have lost flights or their connectivity."
Among the worst-affected holiday hotspots are Lisbon, Lanzarote, Alicante and Mallorca.
Meanwhile, a Portuguese travel advisor, known as @travel_luckk on Instagram, warned that Faro International Airport is one to "avoid" from May to September.
They explained: "Faro was built for 4M passengers.
"It now processes 9M+ in summer.
"Add EES on top, and arrivals from the UK and Germany regularly stall for 5+ hours."
Southampton Airport offers flights to two of the destinations that have been impacted badly by long queues for EES checks in Faro and Alicante.
EES is not the only travel change Brits need to know
Britons have also been warned to prepare for the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), expected to launch later in 2026.
Under the scheme, visa-exempt travellers, including UK passport holders, will need permission to enter 30 European countries for short stays.
Applications will cost €20, although under-18s and over-70s will be exempt from the fee.
Meanwhile, travellers heading to the United States are being encouraged to use the Mobile Passport Control app, which allows passengers to complete border information digitally before arriving at passport control.
Travel expert Gianni Leone, senior product director at Away Holidays, says preparation is key, particularly for families travelling with children.
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Parents are advised to:
- Arrive at airports earlier than usual
- Keep passports and travel documents easily accessible
- Pack extra snacks, drinks and activities for children
- Download any required travel apps before departure
- Allow additional time for passport control and security checks
- Pre-book airport transfers where possible
For travellers looking to avoid further delays after landing, it is recommended to book airport transfers in advance.
There's also often an option to use metro and train systems, and even regular buses - but it often needs pre-planning.
Have you been affected by long queues for EES checks at airports this year? Let us know in the comments.
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