EasyJet has issued a critical new travel alert for passengers flying to the popular European destination of Lisbon, Portugal, following widespread reports of severe delays at passport control. The airline and airport authorities are jointly urging all travellers to "allow extra time" and to "arrive earlier than usual" to navigate unexpectedly long queues that have left some passengers at risk of missing their flights entirely.
Social Media Sparks Urgent Warning
The alert was prompted by a passenger, Deborah Benady, who voiced her concerns on social media platform X. She detailed being stuck in a lengthy passport control queue at Lisbon Airport with merely 14 minutes remaining until her EasyJet flight's boarding gate was scheduled to close. Her post highlighted the growing anxiety among travellers facing similar disruptions across European airports.
Root Cause: The EU's New Entry/Exit System
These significant delays are directly linked to the full implementation of the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES), which officially launched across the Schengen Area on April 10, 2026. This automated IT system replaces the traditional manual stamping of passports for non-EU nationals, including British citizens, with a digital record of their entry and exit.
On a traveller's first visit since the system's rollout, they are required to provide fingerprints and a facial photograph at the border. The EES meticulously tracks the duration of stays to enforce the 90-day limit within any 180-day period. Once registered, a traveller's biometric data remains valid for three years, and there is no cost associated with signing up for the system.
Widespread Disruption and Extended Wait Times
Since its full launch, the EES has caused considerable operational chaos at major airports. Reports indicate that travellers have been waiting in lines for two to three hours. The slow processing of first-time biometric registrations, which can take up to four minutes per individual, has led to airlines experiencing disruptions, with numerous passengers missing their flights due to the bottlenecks.
Official Responses and Passenger Advice
In response to the online concerns, an EasyJet spokesperson directly addressed the situation. They acknowledged the delays at Lisbon Airport's passport control, which are affecting all departing passengers, and advised customers to factor in substantial extra time for airport transit and onward travel plans. The spokesperson emphasised that the airline is collaborating closely with airport and border authorities to seek improvements.
The statement clarified, "While this is outside of our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused by delays at the border." It also provided crucial guidance, noting that boarding gates close 30 minutes before departure and instructing passengers who miss their flights to contact bag drop staff to inquire about rescue fees.
Airport Authorities Echo the Warning
Lisbon Airport has reinforced this message through official channels. A statement on its website as of April 15 reads, "Due to possible constraints on departures border control, longer waiting times are to be expected. Passengers to international (Non Schengen) flights please arrive early at the Airport." Similarly, a recent Facebook post from the airport recommended that passengers on extra-EU international flights arrive "in greater advance" and plan their trips meticulously to avoid unforeseen issues.
The combined warnings from EasyJet and Lisbon Airport underscore a critical period of adjustment for travel to the European Union. Passengers are strongly advised to heed these alerts, plan for significantly extended processing times, and adjust their travel schedules accordingly to mitigate the risk of missing flights due to the new border control procedures.
