Wizz Air CEO Yvonne Moynihan said British holidaymakers should arrive at European airports three hours [1] before their flights home to avoid delays.

The warning comes as the European Union implements its new Entry/Exit System (EES). This digital border regime is expected to create longer security and passport queues, potentially leaving travelers stranded if they do not allow extra time for processing.

The timing of the warning coincides with the end of the UK half-term school holidays in early July 2024 [1]. Moynihan said that the EES will fundamentally change how travelers are processed at the border, increasing the likelihood of congestion at terminals serving UK travelers [1], [2].

Airport congestion has long been a risk for travelers. Industry data suggests that one in seven [3] travelers has missed a flight due to arriving too late at the terminal. The introduction of the EES adds a new layer of administrative processing that could exacerbate this trend for those traveling between the UK and the EU [1], [4].

Airline officials are urging passengers to plan for these extended wait times to ensure they do not miss their departures. The EES is designed to automate the registration of travelers, but the initial rollout often leads to bottlenecks as passengers navigate new biometric requirements, and documentation checks [2], [4].

Travelers are advised to check with their specific airlines for updated guidance as the system becomes fully operational across European hubs [1], [2].

“British holidaymakers should arrive at European airports three hours before their flight home”

The implementation of the Entry/Exit System represents a shift toward digitized border control in the EU. While intended to increase security and efficiency in the long term, the transition phase often creates operational friction. For UK travelers, this means the post-Brexit travel experience is becoming more administratively complex, requiring more significant buffers of time to navigate border formalities.