Portuguese government could suspend EES amid 6-hour queues

Portugal’s government may suspend the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) after reports of six-hour queues at Lisbon and Faro airports, with Ryanair threatening flight cancellations and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro calling the delays unacceptable. The European Commission denies EES is the primary cause of delays, while travel advisors warn of severe disruptions during peak season, particularly for families with children under 12." "article": "Portugal’s government is considering suspending the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) after passengers faced six-hour queues at Lisbon and Faro airports. The EES, launched last month, requires non-EU travelers to submit biometric data and personal details, but its implementation has caused significant delays, especially during peak travel season. Airlines like Ryanair and Jet2 have urged a pause in the system’s rollout, with Ryanair’s Malta subsidiary threatening to cancel flights to Malta due to extended wait times. Travel advisors report extreme delays, including a family waiting 6 hours and 40 minutes in Lisbon last week, missing their transfer to the Algarve. Faro Airport, designed for 4 million passengers, now handles over 9 million annually, worsening congestion. Porto (OPO) is currently a faster alternative, with 40% quicker processing times than Lisbon, according to travel experts. Families with children under 12 are advised to use assisted lanes to reduce wait times to around 30 minutes. Ryanair’s chief operations officer, Neal McMahon, has called on Portugal and the EU to suspend EES until September to avoid further disruptions. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro expressed dissatisfaction with the system, stating that if delays persist, stronger action—including suspension—may be taken. He emphasized balancing security obligations with economic impact, noting that Portugal cannot be penalized for fulfilling EU requirements. The European Commission dismissed claims that EES is the sole cause of airport queues, asserting the process takes an average of just over one minute. However, travelers and airlines continue to report severe bottlenecks, particularly at Lisbon and Faro, where infrastructure struggles to handle increased passenger volumes combined with EES implementation. Strikes by luggage handlers have further compounded travel disruptions across Portugal.