European airports are experiencing significant delays that are worrying travellers due to newly introduced border control measures.
British holidaymakers could encounter waiting times reaching three hours because of the European Union’s entry-exit system, which was introduced last October and intensified in April.
The system obliges travellers from third countries, including Britain, to provide fingerprints and photographs prior to entering the Schengen Area.
Research commissioned by Booking.com found that 59% of British travellers anticipated disruptions, with nearly half concerned they might miss their flights.
The May half-term travel period is drawing near amid airport border delays
Ryan Pearson, regional manager for the United Kingdom and Ireland at Booking.com, indicated that May half-term represents a crucial point in the travel calendar, and many individuals are anxious about how the new entry-exit system might affect their journeys. He expressed a desire to assist travellers in feeling informed and prepared prior to departure, whether that involves verifying travel documentation in advance or packing essential items in cabin baggage in case of extended queuing. He noted that alterations to travel procedures can reasonably feel intimidating, though numerous trips are already proceeding without significant issues, with preparation being the crucial factor.
Airports Council International has documented delays of up to three hours at various European airports, encompassing those in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy.
A social media post from Laurence Sleator dated May 8, 2026 described EES-related difficulties at Lisbon Airport, noting two-hour queues with approximately five officials processing over 300 passengers and growing frustration among travellers. The post mentioned that unlike Greece, Portugal does not intend to exempt British nationals from these checks, suggesting a challenging summer ahead.
In one incident last month, more than 100 easyJet passengers were unable to board a flight from Milan Linate to Manchester after experiencing delays at passport control related to the EES.
The Booking.com research additionally discovered that 56% of British travellers intended to reach the airport earlier than customary to minimise potential disruption, with one in eight planning to arrive at least four hours before their scheduled departure.
Over half of travellers who have visited the EU since the EES implementation reported encountering delays, while 43% stated their journeys proceeded without problems.
Booking.com recommended that families travelling during the May half-term verify passport expiration dates and maintain essential items such as medication and phone chargers in their cabin baggage.
The system has influenced travel behaviour, with increased interest in holidays to Greece after the nation confirmed it would not enforce EES checks for British visitors this summer.
Advantage Travel Partnership observed that Greece’s proportion of British holiday reservations climbed from 7.7% in mid-April to almost 10% by the month’s conclusion.