New EU Border Checks Could Cause Delays at 15 Airports, Ryanair Warns.

Flight Disruptions Loom Across Europe Due to Updated Passport Control System

According to Tourism.d.ua — Туризм: Ryanair has alerted travelers to potential hold-ups at 15 European airports following the introduction of a new passport screening process for entry into the European Union. According to the airline, the system has been running in a trial phase since October 2025 and is scheduled for full implementation in April 2026. In many EU airports, this change has already led to long queues and delays stretching several hours. The new measures are part of broader EU efforts to tighten border security, which have become a priority amid global threats.

Airports at Risk of Delays

Passengers flying through the following airports may experience disruptions:

• Lisbon (Portugal)
• South Tenerife (Spain)
• Madrid (Spain)
• Lanzarote (Spain)
• Alicante (Spain)
• Malaga (Spain)
• Milan-Bergamo (Italy)
• Milan-Malpensa (Italy)
• Verona (Italy)
• Paris-Beauvais (France)
• Berlin (Germany)
• Cologne (Germany)
• Frankfurt-Hahn (Germany)
• Krakow (Poland)
• Budapest (Hungary)

Ryanair is urging passengers to factor extra time into their travel plans due to potential setbacks caused by the upgraded passport control system. The company notes that while the initiative aims to enhance border security across the EU, its rollout may encounter operational challenges.

The adoption of the new passport control system reflects the European Union's push to reinforce border safety, a move that has gained urgency in light of global security concerns.

Despite these security benefits, the transition to the updated system risks disrupting international travel by extending wait times for passengers. This situation highlights the need for airport infrastructure to evolve alongside new technologies and safety standards, so that traveler inconvenience can be kept to a minimum.