You’ve booked the flight, the hotel and the tour. There’s one thing many South African travellers don’t plan for: the queue at passport control.
Europe’s airports and airlines are now publicly pushing for fixes. Here’s what’s going on, and how to protect your trip.
Europe’s airports and airlines are now publicly pushing for fixes. Here’s what’s going on, and how to protect your trip.
*What the industry is saying*
Two European industry bodies made a joint call this week. ACI Europe represents airports. Airlines for Europe, or A4E, represents airlines.
They want urgent changes to the Entry/Exit System, known as the EES. It is Europe’s digital border check for visitors from outside the EU.
Nearly six months after full rollout, they say waits are still high. In the worst cases, queues have reached five hours. Waits regularly top two hours.
Two European industry bodies made a joint call this week. ACI Europe represents airports. Airlines for Europe, or A4E, represents airlines.
They want urgent changes to the Entry/Exit System, known as the EES. It is Europe’s digital border check for visitors from outside the EU.
Nearly six months after full rollout, they say waits are still high. In the worst cases, queues have reached five hours. Waits regularly top two hours.
*Why queues are still long*
The two groups point to several unfixed problems. There aren’t enough border staff. The IT systems have been unstable.
Self-service kiosks and automated gates aren’t widely used or widely installed. The “Travel to Europe” pre-registration app has limited features and limited rollout.
None of these issues is about passengers doing something wrong. They are system problems.
The two groups point to several unfixed problems. There aren’t enough border staff. The IT systems have been unstable.
Self-service kiosks and automated gates aren’t widely used or widely installed. The “Travel to Europe” pre-registration app has limited features and limited rollout.
None of these issues is about passengers doing something wrong. They are system problems.
*What they want changed*
The groups listed six fixes. They want an end to “double verification”, and better biometric checks.
>They also want to stop duplicate EES profiles being created. They want the pre-registration app and web portal rebuilt.
A fifth ask is faster, more consistent automated gates for non-EU visitors. The sixth is the ability to partially suspend the EES when queues get too long.
The groups listed six fixes. They want an end to “double verification”, and better biometric checks.
>They also want to stop duplicate EES profiles being created. They want the pre-registration app and web portal rebuilt.
A fifth ask is faster, more consistent automated gates for non-EU visitors. The sixth is the ability to partially suspend the EES when queues get too long.
*Why this matters to South African travellers*
South Africans travel on non-EU passports. That means the EES applies to us when we visit Europe on a short stay. This is general background, not stated in the source.
The source doesn’t mention South Africa or give figures for South African arrivals. But the delays it describes apply to non-EU visitors as a group.
December is a heavy season for South Africans heading to Europe. Queues are likely to be at their worst when airports are busiest. That’s our reading, not a forecast from the source.
South Africans travel on non-EU passports. That means the EES applies to us when we visit Europe on a short stay. This is general background, not stated in the source.
The source doesn’t mention South Africa or give figures for South African arrivals. But the delays it describes apply to non-EU visitors as a group.
December is a heavy season for South Africans heading to Europe. Queues are likely to be at their worst when airports are busiest. That’s our reading, not a forecast from the source.
*What you can do*
Think about timing before you book. A tight connection through a big European hub is the riskiest option.
Where you can, leave a long gap between landing and your next flight. The same applies to pre-booked transfers, tours and hotel check-ins on arrival day.
If your airline offers a longer layover at a similar price, it’s worth taking. Compare options on Travelstart before you commit.
Think about timing before you book. A tight connection through a big European hub is the riskiest option.
Where you can, leave a long gap between landing and your next flight. The same applies to pre-booked transfers, tours and hotel check-ins on arrival day.
If your airline offers a longer layover at a similar price, it’s worth taking. Compare options on Travelstart before you commit.
*What we don’t know yet*
The source doesn’t say whether any of the six changes will be adopted. It also doesn’t say when.
It also doesn’t give current wait times at specific airports. Delays vary a great deal from day to day.
The source doesn’t say whether any of the six changes will be adopted. It also doesn’t say when.
It also doesn’t give current wait times at specific airports. Delays vary a great deal from day to day.
*The practical takeaway*
Plan for a slow arrival. Build slack into your first day in Europe.
Check your airline’s and airport’s own advice before you fly. And keep an eye on this story. If the industry’s asks are accepted, queues could improve in 2027.
Plan for a slow arrival. Build slack into your first day in Europe.
Check your airline’s and airport’s own advice before you fly. And keep an eye on this story. If the industry’s asks are accepted, queues could improve in 2027.