- Ryanair calls for EES derogation extension until at least April 2027
- The derogation expired on September 6, 2026
- Border delays reached 2-3 hours at Krakow, Lisbon, Milan and Rome
- Malfunctioning kiosks and staffing shortages are causing congestion
- Ryanair argues passengers should not pay for the EU’s failed rollout
Ryanair has called on the EU Commission to immediately extend the Entry/Exit System derogation until at least April 2027, following its expiry on September 6, 2026. The derogation allowed Member States to temporarily suspend EES to prevent severe border control congestion. Despite the ongoing disruptions being suffered by passengers, the EU Commission has allowed this important flexibility to expire. Airlines, airports and industry bodies have repeatedly warned that the EU’s ill-planned EES rollout is increasing border processing times, creating excessive queues and causing avoidable disruption for passengers across Europe.
Border control delays reached up to 2-3 hours in locations such as Krakow, Lisbon, Milan and Rome during Summer 2026. The EU Commission cannot allow this avoidable disruption to passengers continue. Border authorities are still trying to manage with malfunctioning kiosks, staffing shortages and processing delays. Removing the derogation now leaves Member States with no flexibility to prevent further disruption during peak periods.
Ryanair calls on the EU Commission to urgently extend the EES derogation until at least April 2027, giving airports and border authorities the time needed to fix the broken kiosks, increase staffing levels and ensure the system can operate efficiently before full enforcement is imposed on passengers. The airline has consistently argued that passengers should not be made to pay the price for the EU’s failed EES rollout. The handling of EES has been described by industry observers as a significant operational failure.
Neal McMahon, Ryanair’s COO, shared “The EU’s handling of EES has been a shambles from start to finish. Passengers should not be made pay the price for the EU’s failed EES rollout.”
