Prague Airport is facing hour-long queues and significant delays as the EU's new Entry-Exit System comes into effect. The system, which requires biometric data collection from all third-country nationals, has led to issues at passport control, as the registration machines were not operational on the first day. This forced passengers to undergo manual biometric checks, causing a backlog. The delays have caused frustration among travelers arriving from various destinations, with authorities scrambling to manage the situation as the system rolls out.

As the European Union implements its new Entry-Exit System (EES), the Czech Republic has emerged as one of the countries to fully enforce biometric checks from day one, triggering long queues and significant delays at Prague Airport. The ambitious move is part of a gradual rollout across the EU, where three countries -- Czech Republic, Estonia, and Luxembourg -- are committed to applying the system in full immediately, including fingerprinting and photographing all "third-country nationals."

Prague Airport, one of the busiest entry points in the Czech Republic, was poised to apply the new digital borders scheme to its arrivals from the very start. However, despite efforts to install dozens of border registration machines at Terminal 1 for biometric collection, travelers encountered a series of complications. Passengers arriving from the UK and other countries such as Turkey, Egypt, and the UAE found themselves waiting in long lines due to delays in biometric data collection.

Initially, the system was expected to run smoothly, with travelers using self-service kiosks to submit their fingerprints and facial biometrics ahead of the usual passport checks. However, as queues grew, border officials reverted to processing biometric data manually at passport control desks instead. This shift in procedure caused confusion and delays, with some passengers reporting waits of over an hour.

For instance, a passenger flying to Leeds Bradford observed that all the self-registration machines were switched off and that biometrics were being taken at the passport control desk instead, leading to a backlog of travelers. Those arriving on flights from London faced waits of up to 90 minutes due to the absence of functioning machines, and only after considerable delays were certain passport holders allowed to bypass the main lines using the EU channel.

Despite these teething issues, the Czech government had planned the full implementation of the EES, a system designed to capture the biometric data of third-country nationals -- essentially, anyone who is not an EU or Schengen Area citizen. The new system, which is expected to record faces and fingerprints, will store this data on a central EU database, facilitating more efficient cross-border movement. This biometric information will apply not only to those arriving but also to those departing the Schengen Area. However, there were reports from passengers that biometric data was not being captured on departure, as officials stuck to the traditional manual checks.

The roll-out of the EES in Prague is part of a larger initiative that began on October 12, 2025. All Schengen Area member states are expected to ensure their borders are fully compliant within 180 days. As of now, the system is still in its early stages, with multiple challenges arising. Given that the Schengen Area sees over 500 million entries and exits annually across 1,800 border crossings, the introduction of biometric checks is expected to reshape the region's border management processes dramatically.

Industry experts have expressed concerns about the potential for delays as the system continues to be implemented. Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, warned that the introduction of the EES could lead to chaotic scenes at airports, especially during peak travel times. While he acknowledged that winter travel might ease the pressure somewhat, he remained skeptical about a smooth transition in the early stages.

Mark Tanzer, CEO of the travel association Abta, also forecasted delays in the coming months. "It's inevitable that there will be some disruption as the Schengen Area adapts to this new system," he stated. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, advised travelers to allow extra time when traveling, particularly at airports where bottlenecks may already be present. She recommended arriving between three and four hours before departure, as the system's teething issues could result in additional delays.

The introduction of biometric entry and exit checks marks a significant step forward in the Schengen Area's efforts to streamline border management. By collecting biometric data on all third-country nationals, the EU aims to improve security and reduce the administrative burden on border control agencies. However, as evidenced by the situation at Prague Airport, the full implementation of such a system is not without its challenges. While the Czech Republic's commitment to a complete rollout on day one is a bold move, it also serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in implementing new border security measures across an entire continent.

As the system becomes more widely adopted, it will likely face further trials at airports and border crossings throughout the EU. In the meantime, travelers are advised to remain patient and plan for potential delays, particularly at the busiest entry points like Prague Airport, where the implementation of the EES is expected to be closely scrutinized. The rollout of the Entry-Exit System is part of a broader European strategy to modernize and digitize border control, but its success will depend on the speed at which the system can overcome these initial hurdles.

Prague Airport Experiences Hour-Long Queues As EU's New Entry-Exit System Rolls Out, Causing Major Delays And Disruption For Travelers - Travel And Tour World