Passengers are raising concerns about missing flights as Europe’s new biometric border system rolls out across major airports.
EasyJet responds as travellers report concerns over long queues caused by new EU biometric border checks
EasyJet Holidays has responded after travellers shared worries online that longer queues caused by the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) could leave them with not enough time to reach departures.
The system, which began rolling out on October 12, 2025, requires non-EU travellers to register biometric data including fingerprints and photographs on arrival, replacing traditional passport stamping.
A Gov.uk notice warns: “EES may take each passenger extra time to complete, so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.”
The Schengen Area includes countries such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece, while Ireland and Cyprus are not part of the system.
Passengers have taken to social media to report concerns about long queues at some airports, with particular worries about transfer timings and border control delays.
One EasyJet Holidays customer, posting on X under the name @MunchkinMumsie, questioned whether her transfer schedule from Palma would allow enough time to clear the airport before her return flight.
She said: “Hi @EasyJetholidays, I’m returning home from Palma tomorrow, our coach transfer is picking us up at 12.30, our flight is at 15.40 and we are 90 minutes away from the airport. I’m worried this will not give us enough time to get through the airport with my child, will this be ok?”
An EasyJet Holidays spokesperson replied that transfer timings are planned using local knowledge and customers can request to make their own way to the airport if preferred.
The spokesperson also said support teams could assist with “rescue flights” if passengers miss departures.
The customer later raised concerns about reported two to three-hour queues at Palma Airport during busy periods.
EasyJet Holidays said it had not been informed of widespread missed flights but would monitor the situation with local teams.
Travel body ABTA has advised passengers to head to passport control immediately after security and to allow at least two hours for European departures as a minimum during busy periods.