Ryanair Urges Italy to Pause EES After Long Passport Control Queues at Italian Airports

Ryanair is calling on the Italian government to suspend the EU’s Entry/Exit System, known as EES, until September after passengers traveling to and from Italy faced long passport control queues over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

The airline said on May 8, 2026, that some passengers were forced to wait around an hour at passport control, with some reportedly missing their flights as a result. Ryanair argues that the rollout should be paused until the end of the peak summer travel season, when airport pressure is expected to ease.

What is the EU Entry/Exit System?

The Entry/Exit System is the European Union’s new digital border control system for non-EU nationals traveling for short stays in the Schengen Area. It replaces manual passport stamping with digital records of entries, exits, and refusals of entry.

The system records details from the traveler’s passport, along with biometric data such as a facial image and fingerprints. It applies to travelers from outside the EU and Schengen Area, including visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and other non-EU countries.

According to the European Commission, EES began a progressive rollout on October 12, 2025, and became fully operational on April 10, 2026, across the participating European countries.

Why Ryanair wants Italy to suspend EES until September

Ryanair says Italian authorities had years to prepare for the system but failed to ensure enough staff, working kiosks, and full operational readiness at border control.

The airline argues that the current queues are already causing avoidable disruption and could get worse during the summer, when Italian airports handle millions of vacation travelers.

In its statement, Ryanair said it has written to governments across the 29 EES countries, including Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, asking them to suspend the system until September. The airline says this would help airports manage summer passenger flows and avoid unnecessary delays.

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What Ryanair said

Ryanair Chief Operations Officer Neal McMahon criticized countries that continue to operate the new system despite not being fully prepared.

According to McMahon, passengers are being forced to endure excessive passport control queues, and in some cases, they are missing flights. He also compared the delay to Ryanair’s average flight time, which is around 1 hour and 15 minutes, saying that some passengers are spending almost as much time in passport control as they spent in the air.

What this means for travelers flying through Milan

For travelers flying to or from Milan, the issue is especially relevant at Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, and Bergamo Orio al Serio, all of which handle international traffic and can become very busy during holiday periods.

Read also: Getting from Malpensa Airport to Milan Center and Best Ways to Get from Linate Airport to Milan City Center

The main point is simple: passport control may take longer than expected, especially for non-EU travelers entering or leaving the Schengen Area. This matters most if you are arriving from outside Schengen, flying back to the UK, the US, Brazil, or another non-EU destination, or connecting between Schengen and non-Schengen flights.

If you are flying from Milan this summer, avoid arriving at the airport at the last possible moment. For non-Schengen departures, it is better to allow extra time before boarding, especially during weekends, early morning departures, and peak vacation dates.

Is EES the same as ETIAS?

No. EES and ETIAS are not the same thing.

EES is a border registration system. It records when eligible non-EU travelers enter and leave the Schengen Area.

ETIAS is a separate travel authorization system that will require many visa-exempt travelers to apply online before traveling to Europe. Reuters reported that ETIAS is expected later in 2026, with a fee for non-Schengen visitors.

For now, the current airport queue issue is linked to EES, not ETIAS.

Practical advice if you are flying to or from Milan

Travelers should check their airline’s latest airport guidance before departure and allow more time than usual for passport control when flying on a non-Schengen route.

This is particularly important for passengers who do not hold an EU or Schengen passport. The first EES registration may take longer because biometric data must be collected or verified.

If you are planning a connection, avoid tight layovers. A connection that looked reasonable before may become risky if passport control queues are longer than expected.

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Will Italy suspend EES?

At the moment, Ryanair’s statement is a public request, not a confirmed policy change by the Italian government.

The European Commission says the Entry/Exit System is now fully operational, while airlines including Ryanair continue to warn that some airports are not ready for the extra pressure.

For travelers, the safest approach is to assume that EES checks remain in place and to plan accordingly. During the summer travel season, extra time at the airport may be the difference between a smooth trip and a missed flight.