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'I don't know how we'll cope this summer': New EU border checks 'keeping airport bosses awake at night'

Europe
Dea Jusufi
24 June 2026

Europe's airports chief says the EU's newly launched biometric border checks are already causing hours-long queues and risk damaging Europe's reputation as a travel destination, warning: "I don't know how we'll cope this summer."

ACI Europe President and Fraport Chief Executive Stefan Schulte
ACI Europe

'I don't know how we'll be able to cope in the coming weeks,' says ACI chief Stefan Schulte (pictured)

Speaking at ACI Europe's annual congress in Prague, ACI Europe President Stefan Schulte said the EU Entry-Exit System (EES) had become the biggest concern facing airport leaders this summer, and pleaded with the EU for greater flexibility heading into peak season.

"Right now, EES is what keeps me and many other airport CEOs across Europe awake at night," he said. "Passengers are queuing for hours at peak times and I just do not know how we will be able to cope in the coming weeks with the expected increase in traffic."