Wizz Air Warns Brits on EU Queues
Wizz Air is telling British travellers to arrive at European airports up to three hours before departure as new EU border checks continue to cause long queues. The warning mainly affects people flying back after trips in the Schengen Area. The airline says some customers have already missed flights because of delays at passport control.
The delays are linked to the EU Entry/Exit System, known as EES, which records biometric data for non-EU visitors. UK citizens are included because of Brexit. Travellers may need to register fingerprints and other details when entering the Schengen Area, with the information checked again when they leave.
Where queues may hit hardest
The warning is most relevant for:
- UK citizens on short Schengen trips
- Visa-exempt non-EU visitors
- People taking connecting flights
- Holidaymakers using busy airports in Spain, Portugal, France or Greece
Wizz Air has advised people to bring water or a portable charger in case queues take longer than expected.
The issue could affect summer trips to some of Europe’s busiest holiday spots, including Spanish beach resorts, Portuguese city breaks, French coastal airports and Greek islands. The destinations remain reachable, but airport timing now matters more. Anyone planning tight connections, late arrivals at the airport or short weekend trips may need a wider buffer.
Airport body ACI Europe has warned that some queues have reached up to three and a half hours and could worsen during the summer peak. Wizz Air says its schedule is not expected to be cut, and no fuel shortages are anticipated. The biggest pinch point for UK holidaymakers is likely to be passport control, particularly at busy Schengen airports and on trips with tight connections.
