New EU border rules’ airport delays could derail European travel

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For many travellers this summer, long lineups at European airports could stand between them and that first ice-cold Aperol spritz on a sunny terrace. 

Spending hours waiting to clear customs after a flight can put a damper on the excitement of finally arriving at your destination. But with the implementation of the European Union’s biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), this is an unfortunate reality for many vacationers. 

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The system, which replaces manual passport stamping with biometric registration for non-EU visitors, was created to streamline travel and fortify border security. However, until this new process is running smoothly, visitors are being warned to expect longer waits — sometimes reported up to six hours — at border checkpoints due to queues and delays. This impact may be most noticeable at airports in the most popular European hot spots such as Portugal, France and Italy. 

While spending an extra couple of hours in line upon arrival at your destination isn’t the end of the world, it’s a different story for those rushing to make their connecting flight. 

What if this happens to you? 

The answer depends on where the disruption occurs on your journey. 

For example, a traveller is flying to Barcelona and then connecting to another city in the Schengen Zone, the European countries with common entry and exit requirements. If they miss their flight due to long wait times at customs, the airline would generally be responsible for rebooking them on the next available flight at no additional cost, explains Gabor Lukacs, air passenger rights advocate. 

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That’s because the missed connection occurred during a journey covered by the airline’s contract of carriage, the binding agreement between an airline and a passenger. 

But a rebooked connecting flight is all a traveller from Canada should expect.  

“Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), such delays would be deemed to be outside the carrier’s control, so no meals or accommodation would be owed, and certainly no standardized compensation,” says Lukacs. 

The same goes for travelling back to Canada from Europe. If a traveller arrives at the airport at the recommended number of hours before their flight but still misses it due to long wait times, the airline should rebook you. But they may not do it for free. 

“Realistically, the airline may well refuse to pay for starters,” shares Lukacs. “If this should occur, the passenger should present a demand to the airline and then contact the National Enforcement Body of the state where the delay occurred and/or consider suing the airline in small claims court to enforce the passenger’s right to compensation.” 

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He also emphasizes that only airline cutoff times matter, not the “recommended” arrival windows. Travellers who miss those hard deadlines can be treated as no-shows and even denied boarding. 

Plan ahead 

Preparation is key when it comes to planning your European summer getaway.  

Consider packing all your items in a carry-on to avoid spending too much time at the luggage drop before going through security and then again at the baggage claim upon arrival. While it may make the packing process more stressful, travelling with only a carry-on can help travellers more quickly through the stations at an airport. This could make a significant difference when queues are long or a connecting flight is involved. 

He also recommends avoiding booking overly tight connections, particularly when travelling between Schengen destinations where border delays have been occurring. Longer layovers, though not everyone’s favourite, could reduce the chance of missing a connection due to airport lines.  

Strategically planning your travel days with adequate buffer time for airport delays can ensure you get to enjoy your vacation without any disruptions. 

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