travel
April 4, 2026
EES System Very Stressful Due to Possible Flight Delays
The full implementation of the EES system begins at the most sensitive moment – on the eve of the Easter holidays, when an increased intensity of travel is expected, and the first signals from European airports indicate that passengers may face significantly longer delays at the borders. Waits of up to two hours are already being recorded in air traffic during peak hours, which raises the question of how the system will function at full capacity during the summer season.
TL;DR
- The EES system's full implementation is scheduled for a period of high travel intensity, coinciding with Easter holidays.
- European airports are already experiencing delays of up to two hours, raising concerns for the summer season.
- Mandatory biometric data collection (photographs and fingerprints) for third-country nationals will extend entry procedures.
- Airlines and airports cite insufficient operational readiness, including staff shortages, kiosk malfunctions, and IT system reliability issues.
- The advance passenger registration app is underutilized, and aviation sectors are requesting the possibility of temporary easing of EES application during congestion.
- Travelers from Serbia should prepare for additional waiting times at borders this spring and summer.
- User experiences highlight varied implementation, with some countries using handheld devices to speed up checks while others face longer queues.
- Airport procedures, such as baggage drop-offs, can further complicate the timeline for completing EES checks before flights.
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