European airports are ramping up efforts to lessen delays as the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) keeps impacting international travel.
Specifically, Prague Airport has operationalized extra passenger assistance, multilingual support, and improving border-processing measures to address the long queues.
At the same time, travelers at Brussels airports have reportedly missed flights, extending EES-related waiting times.
Overall, these developments emphasize the growing pressure on European airports to keep border checks running smoothly while maintaining passenger movement.
Moreover, new tourism projections hint at stronger 2026 European travel demand, making reliable airport operations all the more important.
Prague Airport Introduces New Measures to Reduce EES Delays
Prague Airport is working with Czech authorities to improve border checks for passengers arriving from outside the Schengen Area.
The airport announced additional measures following a September 18 board meeting focused on improving passenger processing and reducing congestion.
Under the initiative, dedicated assistance teams help travelers navigate passport control and complete biometric registration.
Specifically, these teams prioritize elderly passengers, families with children, and travelers with reduced mobility.
Additionally, the airport uses heatmap analysis to forecast peak arrival periods up to 30 days in advance.
This approach allows authorities to anticipate congestion and adjust staffing and processing capacity accordingly.
Prague Airport also plans to improve multilingual information screens, including guidance in Hebrew and Chinese.
Meanwhile, trained staff will assist travelers experiencing difficulties with EES self-service kiosks.
Currently, approximately 60% of passengers successfully complete registration through these kiosks. The airport aims to increase that figure to 80%.
Furthermore, Terminal 1 will receive five additional passport-control desks and four automated gates by April 2027.
Brussels Airport Passengers Face Missed Flights and Long Queues
While Prague introduces improvements, travelers in Belgium continue reporting difficulties navigating EES border procedures.
In a recent report published by The Times, a passenger described missing a Ryanair flight from Brussels Charleroi to Newcastle.
The incident occurred in August after several delays disrupted the passenger’s journey through the airport.
First, a malfunctioning baggage-drop system caused substantial queues. Security checks then added further delays.
Finally, lengthy passport-control queues associated with EES prevented the passenger from reaching the flight on time.
The passenger reportedly requested assistance from airport staff but could not avoid missing the departure.
Separately, Brussels Airport has experienced significant EES-related congestion at its own border-control facilities.
In March, the airport reported that nearly 600 passengers missed flights over four days because of border-processing problems.
Additionally, departure queues reached two hours, while arriving passengers faced waits exceeding three hours.
More recently, passengers encountered waits of up to five hours, partly because of technical problems affecting EES processing.
These incidents demonstrate how border delays can disrupt travel plans, particularly when combined with other airport problems.
How the EU Entry/Exit System Works
The EES digitally records border crossings by non-EU nationals visiting participating European countries for short stays.
Launched in October 2025, the system became fully operational across participating external borders on April 10, 2026.
Instead of traditional passport stamps, authorities now collect travelers’ passport information, facial images, and applicable fingerprint data.
The system also records entry dates, departure dates, and refusals of entry.
Importantly, EES applies to eligible travelers visiting for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
However, EU citizens and certain residence permit holders are exempt from registration.
First-time registration generally requires additional checks, while subsequent crossings can involve faster identity verification.
The European Commission says the system strengthens border security and helps authorities identify overstays and identity fraud.
European Tourism Forecast to Grow 3.1% in 2026
Despite operational challenges, Europe’s tourism industry continues showing strong growth.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Europe’s travel and tourism economy should expand 3.1% in 2026.
That exceeds the sector’s 2.6% growth in 2025 and the projected 2.5% global growth rate.
Additionally, international visitor spending in Europe could increase 5.8%, while business travel spending may rise 4.2%.
The WTTC released these projections during its 26th Global Summit in Malta on October 7.
The organization also highlighted the importance of efficient connectivity, innovation, and supportive government policies.
Consequently, improving border-processing efficiency could become increasingly important as European destinations welcome more visitors.
What Travelers Should Do to Avoid EES Delays
Travelers entering or leaving participating European countries should prepare for possible additional border checks.
First, passengers should confirm whether EES registration applies to their nationality and immigration status.
Those registering for the first time should anticipate additional time for biometric collection and identity verification.
Additionally, travelers should check their airline’s recommended arrival time and review airport advisories before departure.
Passengers should also ensure their passports and other required travel documents remain valid.
Furthermore, following airport signage and instructions can help travelers navigate registration kiosks and passport-control areas.
Those traveling with children or requiring special assistance should contact their airline or airport about available support.
Importantly, travelers should not assume every airport experiences the same delays, since local conditions and processing capacity vary.
European Airports Continue Adapting to Digital Border Controls
Prague’s operational improvements and Brussels’ reported disruptions highlight the challenges of implementing Europe’s digital border system.
As tourism grows, airports must balance effective security checks with efficient passenger processing.
Ultimately, improved infrastructure, clearer guidance, and better coordination will help determine whether EES delivers smoother travel experiences.
Photo by Ondrej Bocek on Unsplash
