Berlin Airport's Two-Hour Border Queue Chaos

Sun Sep 06 2026 13:22:39 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Passengers stumble through up to two hours of waiting as the EU’s new digital border system falters at Berlin Airport, sparking warning over summer travel.

Berlin Airport operator Aletta von Massenbach says non‑EU travellers are stranded for up to two hours under the new Entry‑Exit System. Technical glitches, differing national setups, and sluggish kiosks keep people waiting. Airlines and the EU Commission face pressure to fix the delays before the busy summer rush. Personal stories, like that of Anne Robinson, highlight the frustration. The situation threatens to hit the 28‑minute commute and kite‑fly flights the whole time.

Berlin Airport Faces Two‑Hour Border Queues

Berlin Airport boss Aletta von Massenbach said non‑EU passengers can wait up to two hours at the new digital border check in the airport’s departure area.

The EU’s Entry‑Exit System (EES) requires biometric data from travellers entering the 28‑country Schengen zone. It’s aimed at making travel safer, but tech problems have sparked long lines.

Passengers waiting in a long line at Berlin Airport

The airport’s chief says the complexity of different national systems makes smooth processing difficult. In the UK, Port of Dover’s new EES kiosks are still inoperative, leading to fears of a six‑week crisis.

Even passengers with plenty of time, like Anne Robinson and her son from Scotland, stuck in Rome’s long line, found themselves delayed, missed their flight and had to pay extra. She declared she won’t return to Europe that year.

Airlines and airport groups urge the European Commission to give clear support and realistic timelines. They say “face half‑empty planes” is a real problem as summer travel approaches.

The Commission says most airports have limited impact, but member states still under‑staffed and under‑equipped. Still, the pressure mounts – both travellers and airlines want a smoother, faster border check.