Ryanair Boss Slams EU Border Queues
September criticism follows EES disruption, long biometric queues and missed flights for some international passengers.
What Changed
Who It Affects
Ryanair’s chief has called the EU’s Entry/Exit System a “shambles” after queues left some travellers missing flights.
Ryanair’s chief has described the EU Entry/Exit System as a “shambles” after disruption for some international travellers, including reports of passengers missing flights because of long border queues. The criticism was reported on 2026-09-07, with the main concern centred on delays created by digital and biometric border checks. For travellers, the immediate issue is practical rather than political: airport timing that used to feel safe may no longer be enough at busy Schengen border points. Anyone flying to, from or through affected European airports should plan for slower passport control and more uncertainty around gate arrival times.
What the EU Entry/Exit System Changes
The Entry/Exit System, known as EES, is designed to digitally register eligible non-EU travellers when they enter and leave the Schengen area. Instead of relying only on manual passport stamping, the system records travel details and can require biometric checks such as facial images and fingerprints. In theory, the system is intended to modernise border control and improve tracking of stays within the Schengen zone. In practice, the early passenger experience reported on 2026-09-07 has included long queues at some border points, particularly where large numbers of international travellers arrive in a short window.
Why Ryanair Passengers Are Worried
Ryanair operates a dense network of short-haul European flights, which means many of its passengers travel through busy airports where border-control delays can quickly affect flight plans. A traveller may clear bag drop and security on time but still face an unexpectedly long immigration or exit-control queue before reaching the departure gate. This is especially stressful for passengers who have booked low-cost fares with strict gate-closing rules and limited flexibility. The biggest risk is not necessarily a cancelled flight, but a missed one because the traveller cannot physically reach the gate before boarding closes.
Who Should Allow Extra Time
The travellers most likely to feel the impact are non-EU passport holders entering or leaving the Schengen area, including UK travellers taking European city breaks, beach holidays or business trips. Families may need longer because children, luggage and group document checks can slow movement through the airport. Business travellers with same-day returns and passengers with separate onward tickets should be particularly careful, as even a modest border delay can disrupt the rest of the itinerary. If your journey involves a Schengen border check at any point, you should treat the airport process as less predictable than a normal domestic or intra-zone departure.
Practical Tips
- Arrive earlier than usual: allow extra time at EU and Schengen border points, especially if you are a non-EU passport holder who may need biometric registration before reaching the gate.
- Check your airport’s live updates before leaving: look for border-control queue warnings, terminal guidance and airline-specific check-in deadlines, not just flight departure times.
- Avoid tight connections: if your itinerary involves entering the Schengen area and then catching another flight, leave a wider buffer because immigration queues can be unpredictable.
- Keep documents ready: have your passport, boarding pass, accommodation details, return ticket and proof of travel insurance accessible so you do not lose time at border control.
Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Assuming old timings still work: arriving at the airport as late as you did before EES checks can leave too little room for biometric queues and gate deadlines.
- ✕Blaming the airline automatically: if you miss a flight because you were delayed at border control, compensation may be limited unless the airline itself caused the delay.
- ✕Booking risky self-transfers: separate tickets with short gaps can leave you exposed because the second airline may treat you as a no-show if border queues delay you.
- ✕Ignoring passport and entry rules: EES checks do not replace Schengen entry requirements, so you may still need proof of onward travel, accommodation and sufficient funds.
Quick Checklist
- Check airline and airport alerts before departure
- Arrive earlier for Schengen entry or exit checks
- Keep passport, boarding pass and travel documents ready
- Verify connection times and gate-closing deadlines
- Have insurance details and alternative flight options ready
