Holiday Delay Warning for Newcastle Airport Travellers

Families flying from Newcastle Airport to popular European destinations this summer are being urged to allow extra time before departure after Ryanair warned that new EU border procedures could lead to lengthy passport control queues.

The airline has raised concerns over the rollout of the European Union's Entry/Exit System, commonly known as EES, claiming the technology is not fully prepared for the busiest holiday period of the year. Ryanair believes the new system could create delays for passengers travelling between non-Schengen countries, including the UK, and destinations within the Schengen Area.

Ryanair calls for delay to EES rollout.

Ryanair has called on European governments to postpone the implementation of the Entry/Exit System until after the summer holiday season. The airline says families should not face additional stress during one of the busiest travel periods, particularly while schools are breaking up across the UK.

Chief Operations Officer Neal McMahon said passengers should not become "guinea pigs" for what the airline believes is an unfinished border control system. Ryanair argues that delaying the rollout until September would help avoid unnecessary disruption, long passport queues and missed flights during peak travel weeks.

The airline also claims it has contacted governments in countries expected to experience the greatest impact but says there has been little response.

What Newcastle travellers need to know.

For thousands of passengers departing Newcastle Airport for Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and other popular holiday destinations, the advice is simple. Arrive at the airport earlier than usual and allow extra time for border formalities.

The Entry/Exit System replaces traditional passport stamping with digital records for non-EU travellers. First-time users are required to provide facial scans and fingerprints before entering participating Schengen countries. While future journeys should become quicker once travellers are registered, the initial process has raised concerns about longer waiting times at airports and ports.

Although Newcastle Airport itself has not reported widespread disruption, passengers connecting through major European airports could still experience delays depending on their destination.

Previous delays raise concerns.

Industry worries are not without precedent. During the May half-term getaway, the Port of Dover declared a critical incident after some travellers experienced waits of up to four-and-a-half hours. Port officials warned that daily tourist vehicle numbers are expected to increase from around 8,500 to more than 12,000 during the peak summer period, placing additional pressure on border controls.

Dover has invested £40 million in facilities designed to support the new system, but operators say some of the planned technology has not functioned as intended.

The numbers behind the new system.

The European Commission says the Entry/Exit System has already recorded more than 52 million entries and exits since its phased introduction. Officials also report more than 27,000 refusals of entry and over 700 individuals identified as security risks, highlighting the system's role in strengthening border security.

EU officials maintain that most airports are operating normally, with average processing times of around 70 seconds per traveller. However, several airlines and airport operators continue to warn that busy summer travel periods could place significant pressure on border infrastructure.

For Newcastle holidaymakers preparing to head abroad, arriving early, checking airline guidance and ensuring travel documents are ready could make the journey considerably less stressful.

Share your thoughts.

Are you worried about longer passport queues causing delays when going on holiday this year?