EasyJet update over EES delays as passengers told 'we may not wait'

 EasyJet has posted a new update on May 7 for passengers with flights booked across Europe. Holidaymakers are warned to give themselves enough time at the airport this spring and summer — or risk missing their flights altogether.

In the update, the airline said: "Airports across Europe may experience longer waiting times at passport control due to the new European Entry/Exit System (EES). This could mean you need to have your biometrics taken at border checks, including the scanning of facial images and fingerprints.

"The airline may not be able to wait for delayed passengers, even if the wait is longer than usual. We strongly recommend arriving at the airport with plenty of time to spare."

It added: "If you booked with EasyJet holidays and you have a transfer included in your package, we're working closely with our transfer partners to account for potential delays at border control."

For those encountering the EES for the first time, airlines have advised passengers to give themselves as much time as possible. Depending on your carrier, travel experts suggest that several hours before take-off should be enough to get through all the standard security checks alongside the new EES requirements, reports the Express.

What are the best tips for travelling with EasyJet?

Download the EasyJet app to get live updates on your flight, including when the gate opens.

Make sure you have the correct documents for travel.

If you are travelling with checked (hold) luggage, please arrive in time for Bag Drop. Opening times are available in the EasyJet app or in your booking details.

You may experience extended wait times on arrival at your destination airport, so consider this when planning onward travel.

Additional checks may also apply at your departure airport when leaving the EU, so please also allow extra time at the airport.

Be aware that there may be further checks at passport control after security and before reaching your gate.

Travel expert Kate Donnelly (@Thedonnellyedit) said people should turn up as close to the check-in desk opening times as possible, providing holidaymakers with the longest possible window without queuing. This varies by airline and route, so it's advisable to check online beforehand and plan your journey accordingly.

When looking online, EasyJet tends to open its check-in desks around two hours before a flight to EU areas like Spain, France and Italy. Using flight details, passengers should try to work out the earliest time their desks will open and aim to be ready to queue once staff are ready to process travellers.

If people are taking very early flights, it could be worth checking whether airlines and airports offer a twilight baggage drop service, completing the bulk of the check-in process the night before. EasyJet has details of what locations and services benefit from this online.

What is the EES system for?

The new EES is replacing the existing system of manually stamping passports when visitors enter the EU. Instead, non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen zone for brief stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) will be required to scan their passports at border kiosks, which collect biometric data (facial images and fingerprints) alongside personal information.

The digital data is held for three years and a day. The system has been introduced to boost security, tackle irregular migration, prevent identity fraud, and make border checks more efficient.

The surge in delays stems from the system being introduced recently, meaning the majority of passengers won't have passed through an airport since the checks became mandatory. The complete list of exemptions to the EES system can be found on the EU's official Travel Europe website.