ACI EUROPE calls for urgent review of Schengen Entry-Exit System to avoid systemic disruption

ACI EUROPE has called on the European Commission, eu-LISA, Frontex, and Schengen Member States to urgently address mounting operational challenges linked with the roll-out of the Entry-Exit System.

Passenger experience at airports is being severely impacted by the stunted implementation of the Schengen Entry-Exit System (EES) – with up to 3 hour waiting times at peak traffic periods. Several operational issues have contributed to this situation, including regular EES outages, persistent EES configuration problems, the continued unavailability of Automated Border Control (ABC) gates, the unavailability of an effective pre-registration app, and insufficient deployment of border guards.

With an upcoming increase of the registration threshold for third country nationals, currently set at 10% and set to increase to 35% in January 2026, ACI EUROPE calls for swift action to fully resolve operational issues or, at a minimum, provide additional flexibility in the system’s roll-out. Without such action, airports are likely to see more severe congestion, systemic disruption, and potentially serious safety hazards.

Find out more in ACI EUROPE’s press release here.