Edinburgh Airport passengers warned of six-hour queues at four hotspots
Travellers from Edinburgh are being warned of severe delays at Lisbon, Lanzarote, Alicante, and Mallorca following the rollout of the EU's new Entry and Exit System. Industry experts have highlighted concerns regarding processing times and the potential for flight disruptions.
Passengers travelling from Edinburgh Airport this summer are facing warnings of potential six-hour queues at several major European holiday destinations. The disruption is linked to the ongoing implementation of the European Union’s Entry and Exit System (EES), a digital border management initiative that requires non-EU nationals, including British passport holders, to provide biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images upon entering the Schengen Area.
Industry experts and airline representatives have identified four specific locations as high-risk hotspots for severe congestion: Lisbon, Lanzarote, Alicante, and Mallorca. As Edinburgh Airport maintains direct flight connections to all four of these destinations, travellers departing from the Scottish capital are among those expected to encounter these processing hurdles.
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The introduction of the EES has drawn significant criticism from within the aviation sector. Rafael Schvartzman, vice-president for Europe at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has warned that the biometric requirements are substantially increasing the time spent at border control. According to IATA analysis, processing times per traveller are rising from an average of 20-25 seconds to as many as 90 seconds. Schvartzman noted that the transition is being hindered by inconsistent technology adoption across various regions, a lack of necessary infrastructure, and insufficient staffing at border kiosks.
"What we are seeing is a very hard risk of really challenging times or waiting times, talking about expectations of three, four, five, six hours, which is unacceptable."
Schvartzman further indicated that instances of passengers missing flights or losing onward connections have already been documented. In response to these concerns, major airlines including Jet2 and Ryanair have formally requested that the EES rollout be suspended until the conclusion of the summer travel season to ensure a more reliable experience for passengers. The situation has become so contentious that David O’Brien, CEO of Ryanair’s Malta subsidiary, Malta Air, has indicated a willingness to suspend flight operations to avoid the logistical fallout.
The pressure on European travel hubs is compounded by a high volume of demand. Nicole Kerr, chief executive of the transport platform Mozio, highlighted that searches for summer holiday deals by UK consumers have increased by 123% over the last three months. Kerr cautioned that border bureaucracy is only one of several factors likely to impede travellers. She noted that passengers should remain mindful of broader operational risks, including potential airport strikes and significant delays in ground transport upon arrival. Reports from 2025 specifically identified extended taxi queues at tourist destinations, particularly within the Canary Islands, as a recurring issue for holidaymakers.
To mitigate the impact of these delays, travel industry professionals are advising passengers to adopt proactive strategies. Gianni Leone, senior product director at Away Holidays, emphasised the necessity of thorough preparation, especially for families travelling with children. Key recommendations for passengers include:
- Booking airport transfers in advance to bypass potential queues for taxis or private hire vehicles.
- Researching alternative local transport links, such as metro, train, or bus systems, well before the day of travel.
While the EES continues to be a central focus for travellers, the regulatory environment is set to evolve further. British holidaymakers are also being advised to prepare for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). While initial reports had suggested a launch later in 2026, those plans have shifted, and the scheme is now expected to be introduced in 2027. Once the ETIAS is active, visa-exempt travellers—including those from the UK—will be required to obtain travel permission to enter 30 European countries for short stays. The proposed structure for the ETIAS includes a fee of €20, though exemptions will be provided for travellers under the age of 18 and those over the age of 70.
