Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s airports are facing renewed pressure over biometric passport controls after Ryanair urged the Government to suspend the EU’s Entry/Exit System until September.
The airline says the system risks causing longer queues during the busiest months of the year, especially for families and non-EU travellers flying to and from Spain. Spain´s airport queues warning comes just weeks after the new border process became fully operational across Schengen countries. Ryanair has asked Spain to delay full implementation until after the peak summer season.
Why Ryanair wants a pause
Ryanair said on Thursday, April 30, that Spain should suspend the EES rollout until September to avoid long passport-control waits at Spanish airports.
The airline argues that airports have not yet had enough time to absorb the extra pressure. It also claims there are problems with staffing, kiosk availability and system readiness.
Ryanair’s concern is not only about inconvenience. It says some passengers are already facing long queues and, in some cases, missing flights because of the extra checks.
Spanish travel outlet Hosteltur also reported that the airline wants the system paused until the high season has passed.
What is the EES?
The Entry/Exit System, known as EES, is the EU’s new digital border-control system for non-EU nationals travelling for short stays.
According to the European Commission, it became fully operational on April 10, 2026, at external border crossing points in the EU, except Cyprus and Ireland.
The system replaces manual passport stamping with digital records. It registers when non-EU travellers enter and leave the Schengen Area.
Travellers may also have their facial image, fingerprints and passport data recorded. The aim is to improve border security and help detect people who overstay the 90-days-in-180-days short-stay limit.
Why British travellers are more affected
The change is especially relevant for British passengers because the UK is no longer in the EU.
Before Brexit, many British travellers moved through EU passport-control channels more easily. Now, UK citizens are treated as non-EU travellers when entering or leaving the Schengen Area.
That means they may be required to complete the new digital and biometric steps. These checks can take longer than a simple passport stamp, particularly when several flights arrive or depart close together.
For airports such as Málaga, Alicante, Palma, Barcelona and Madrid, the timing is sensitive. These routes carry large numbers of British and other non-EU travellers during spring and summer.
Málaga among airports under pressure
Málaga Airport is one of the Spanish airports where the issue matters most, given its heavy reliance on international tourism.
Málaga Hoy reported that Ryanair’s request followed delays that had exceeded an hour in Málaga and had caused some passengers to miss flights.
Aena’s own passenger information for Málaga Airport currently advises passengers who must go through passport control to proceed to the boarding area as soon as their gate appears on the screens.
That advice is simple, but it also reflects the wider concern: passport control can no longer be treated as a last-minute formality for some travellers.
Schengen travellers see little change
The EES does not affect everyone in the same way.
Passengers travelling within the Schengen Area should not see the same level of change, as they are not normally subject to systematic passport checks on those routes.
EU and Schengen citizens travelling with a valid ID or passport are also in a different position from non-EU travellers. Aena’s official guidance for foreign travellers entering Spain states that citizens from EU and Schengen countries need only a valid national identity document or passport.
The biggest practical impact is for travellers entering or leaving the Schengen Area from non-EU countries. That includes the United Kingdom.
Why summer could make the problem worse
The timing is what worries airlines.
Spain is heading into one of its busiest travel periods. Airports are already dealing with rising passenger numbers, holiday traffic and seasonal pressure on staff and facilities.
If biometric registration takes longer than expected, delays can spread quickly. One long queue at passport control can affect boarding times, aircraft turnaround and connecting journeys.
This is why Ryanair wants the system delayed until September, when peak summer demand has eased.
The airline is not asking for the EES to be cancelled. It is asking for more time before the system is enforced during Spain’s busiest travel months.
What passengers should do now
For now, there has been no announced decision to suspend the EES in Spain.
That means non-EU travellers should plan for longer waits at passport control, especially at larger tourist airports. This is particularly important for British passengers, families, older travellers and anyone who needs extra time moving through the airport.
Passengers should arrive earlier than usual, keep travel documents ready and follow airport instructions once the boarding gate is displayed.
Those flying from Málaga should pay special attention to Aena’s advice and move towards passport control promptly once gate information appears.
A summer test for Spain’s airports
The new system was designed to modernise Europe’s borders. But in Spain, its first major test will come during the summer travel rush.
That makes the coming weeks important. If queues remain manageable, the system may settle into the airport routine. If delays grow, pressure on the Government, Aena and EU authorities is likely to increase.
For travellers, the message is more immediate. Passport control may take longer than it used to, and the safest plan this summer is to allow more time than normal.