European airports – including Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa – have warned of “disastrous” passenger queues unless the EU’s biometric Entry-Exit System (EES) rules are eased during peak periods. In a joint letter, Airports Council International Europe and UK travel association ABTA asked the European Commission to allow border guards to stand down EES registration requirements when wait times become excessive. The plea follows reports of two- to three-hour lines even though only 35 % of non-EU travellers are currently being registered. From 10 April, 100 % compliance will be required. (theguardian.com)
Italy’s two largest gateways have already experienced sporadic three-hour delays since the soft launch in October 2025, despite additional staffing. Simulations for July–August show potential waits of up to five hours if full biometric capture is enforced without extra resources. The situation is particularly sensitive for Italy, which expects a surge of Olympic-related traffic to Milan next month.
ACI Europe argues that contingency powers exist – member states may temporarily suspend biometric capture to clear backlogs – but these are being applied inconsistently.
![Airports Urge EU to Relax Biometric Checks as Italy Braces for 5-Hour Queues]()
For travelers looking to stay ahead of these evolving border formalities, VisaHQ can streamline your pre-departure checklist. Through its Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/), the platform provides real-time visa and passport guidance, helps you complete required forms correctly, and alerts you to any documentation changes tied to the new EES rollout—saving valuable time once you land.
Industry stakeholders want Brussels to formalise a 90-day summer waiver and fund rapid-hire programmes for border police.
For mobility managers, the warning is clear: factor in longer connection times at Italian airports, brief travellers on first-time biometric enrolment procedures, and monitor carrier re-accommodation policies in case of missed onward flights. Companies moving equipment or specialist staff under tight deadlines (e.g., event production, sports teams) should consider routing through airports with historically shorter queues or arriving a day earlier.
Italy’s two largest gateways have already experienced sporadic three-hour delays since the soft launch in October 2025, despite additional staffing. Simulations for July–August show potential waits of up to five hours if full biometric capture is enforced without extra resources. The situation is particularly sensitive for Italy, which expects a surge of Olympic-related traffic to Milan next month.
ACI Europe argues that contingency powers exist – member states may temporarily suspend biometric capture to clear backlogs – but these are being applied inconsistently.
For travelers looking to stay ahead of these evolving border formalities, VisaHQ can streamline your pre-departure checklist. Through its Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/), the platform provides real-time visa and passport guidance, helps you complete required forms correctly, and alerts you to any documentation changes tied to the new EES rollout—saving valuable time once you land.
Industry stakeholders want Brussels to formalise a 90-day summer waiver and fund rapid-hire programmes for border police.
For mobility managers, the warning is clear: factor in longer connection times at Italian airports, brief travellers on first-time biometric enrolment procedures, and monitor carrier re-accommodation policies in case of missed onward flights. Companies moving equipment or specialist staff under tight deadlines (e.g., event production, sports teams) should consider routing through airports with historically shorter queues or arriving a day earlier.
