Ryanair warns Irish passengers of 'significant delays' out of popular Spanish airports
Passengers are advised to arrive early and prepare for delays
Ryanair has issued an urgent warning to all passengers flying to and from Spanish airports, particularly Malaga, about unusually long queues at passport control and heightened wait times that could affect their travel plans.
According to the budget airline, extended passport control queues are being reported at several Spanish airports due to the recent rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) - a digital border control initiative for travellers moving between Schengen and non-Schengen countries.
In emails sent to passengers ahead of their flights, Ryanair has urged passengers to:
- Arrive at the airport earlier than usual, allowing extra time before their scheduled departure
- Go directly to security and then passport control as soon as they've dropped off their luggage, to try to avoid getting caught up in long queues
- Check flight updates and airport guidance ahead of departure to avoid last-minute surprises
- Be prepared for longer waits at passport control
The airline has also warned that delays could be especially significant at busy travel periods, with some travellers reporting that queues at Malaga Airport have taken up to 50 minutes or more to clear during peak times.
Ryanair has claimed that Spanish authorities were not fully prepared for the new EES implementation and has called on Spanish National Police and airport authorities to address the situation urgently.
However, Spanish authorities have pushed back against the airlines claims, saying that police were prepared and that managing queues is the responsibility of the airport operator.