Easyjet crunched the numbers. They estimate each passenger could take an extra 30 seconds to 2 minutes at the border. Sounds tiny, right? But when you have 200 people on a plane, that’s a lot of “just one more second.” Suddenly, your 10am flight becomes a “let’s hope we take off before lunch” situation.
And it’s not just the queue. The technology might crash. Because of course it will. Every new system has a meltdown phase. Remember the great iPhone launch delays? Now imagine that, but with your vacation on the line. Fun times.
Milan Travelers Face Delays as EU Entry/Exit System Causes Airport
Which airports suffer most?
The biggest bottlenecks will be at ports and smaller airports. Eurostar, Dover, and even Nice Airport are bracing for impact. If you’re flying into London Gatwick or Paris Charles de Gaulle, prepare for a waiting game. Bring snacks. Bring a book. Maybe bring a tent.
Easyjet’s CEO, Johan Lundgren, said something very dramatic. He called it a “huge challenge” for the travel industry. And he’s not wrong. Airlines have been through enough, right? Between strikes, storms, and lost luggage dramas. Now we add a robot that doesn’t recognize your thumbprint. Brilliant.
