Ryanair has urged Spain to suspend the rollout of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, warning that the scheme could add to border delays and create major disruption for travellers during the busy summer season.
The airline said the checks could lead to longer queues at Spanish airports and argued that the country should avoid introducing the system while passenger numbers are at their highest. It said the change risked causing widespread inconvenience for holidaymakers and airport operators.
The warning comes as Europe prepares to introduce the EES, which is designed to record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals across the bloc’s external borders. Spain is one of the region’s biggest summer destinations, and any slowdown at passport control could affect large numbers of travellers.
Ryanair’s call puts fresh pressure on Spanish authorities at a time when airports are already under strain from rising demand. The airline said the rollout should be delayed until border systems can handle the extra checks without creating bottlenecks.
The Entry/Exit System is part of the EU’s wider move to modernise border management and improve security. It will replace manual passport stamping for many visitors from outside the bloc and is expected to collect travel details electronically instead.
Supporters of the scheme say it will help authorities track overstays more accurately and strengthen border control across the Schengen area. Critics, however, have warned that any new procedure could slow movement through airports and land crossings, especially during peak travel periods.
Spain’s tourism industry has repeatedly faced pressure from record visitor numbers in recent years, and summer is the most sensitive period for airport congestion. Airlines, airport operators and tourism businesses often warn that even small changes to border processing can have a large effect on queues and connecting flights.
Ryanair has been among the most outspoken carriers on issues affecting aviation policy and passenger flow in Europe. Its latest intervention reflects broader concerns within the travel sector about how quickly the new system can be introduced without disrupting holiday travel.
Travel industry groups have also been watching the rollout closely, since the EES will apply across a large area and affect millions of arrivals. For Spain, where tourism is a major part of the economy, any delay at border control could ripple through airports, hotels and onward transport links.
The EU has said the new system is intended to improve border efficiency in the long term, but the transition may be challenging at first. The success of the rollout is likely to depend on how well governments, airports and airlines prepare passengers for the changes.
For now, Ryanair’s message is clear: Spain should reconsider the timing of the launch and avoid what it described as a potential summer of border queue chaos. The airline argues that preventing disruption should take priority over speed, especially during one of the busiest periods of the year.
