Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is creating long queues at airports as millions of travelers pass through border controls during the peak summer season.

The biometric system, which records facial images and fingerprints of non-EU travelers entering the Schengen area, takes longer than traditional passport checks and is causing congestion at major airports. Airport operators warn that even small increases in processing times can lead to significant delays when tens of thousands of passengers cross the border each day.

Experts also point to the challenge of coordinating different technologies and systems used across EU member states, making implementation more complex.

With travelers already facing waits of several hours and some even missing flights, airports are calling for greater flexibility until additional equipment and capacity can be deployed.