Airlines warn of ‘queue chaos’ at Kraków Airport as EU biometric checks bite
Aviation bodies demand flexibility to suspend EES during summer rush
Krakow Faces Potential Holiday Queues as Airlines Urge EU to Pause New Biometric Border System
Latest News
Ryanair appeals directly to Polish Interior Minister to pause border biometrics
On 2 July Ryanair formally asked Poland’s Interior Minister to suspend EES checks at Kraków and Warsaw airports, citing excessive queues for first-time biometric enrolment. The government is reviewing data but has not committed to a pause, leaving travel planners to build extra buffer time into itineraries.
Polish fighter-jet scramble briefly closes Lublin and Rzeszów airports – airspace normalised
Poland ended a short-notice military air operation on 2 July, reopening Lublin and Rzeszów airports after a three-hour closure triggered by Russian strikes on Ukraine. Several passenger and cargo flights were diverted, highlighting the need for real-time routing contingencies for business travellers in south-eastern Poland.
CAPA: Polish hubs among airports urging ‘immediate intervention’ on Schengen biometrics
A CAPA analysis released on 2 July shows Kraków and Warsaw airports lack the infrastructure to meet summer demand under the new EES rules and warns of significant economic fallout. The bulletin supports industry calls for temporary suspension of biometric checks and outlines stop-gap measures Polish hubs could implement.
EU introduces €3 customs duty on all low-value parcels from outside the bloc, ending duty-free shopping
A flat €3 customs duty now applies to every non-EU parcel worth under €150, ending Poland’s duty-free online shopping era. Sellers – not consumers – are the legal debtors, but prices are likely to rise and customs processes will become more complex for both shoppers and businesses. The change closes a tax loophole, supports EU retailers and affects anyone importing small consignments, including corporate mobility shipments.
Poland launches new Border Defence Component (KOP) to reinforce eastern frontier
Effective 1 July 2026, four Territorial Defence brigades have been reorganised into a new Border Defence Component (KOP) to strengthen Poland’s eastern and north-eastern borders. The hybrid-threat-driven overhaul brings almost 4,000 additional troops, modern drones and rapid-reaction capabilities to key crossing points, with potential implications for corporate logistics and staff travel in border regions.
Poland tightens access to free collective accommodation for Ukrainian refugees
From 1 July 2026 most Ukrainian refugees must start paying for their stay in Poland’s collective centres; only vulnerable categories keep free lodging. Around 4,000 people may need to find new housing, putting pressure on employers and municipalities near large centres.
Airports and airlines urge Brussels to let Member States suspend Entry/Exit System checks during summer chaos
European aviation bodies claim the EU’s new biometric border regime is causing five-hour queues and thousands of empty seats, and they want Member States to be allowed to turn EES off during the peak summer period. Polish airports are already seeing doubled wait times, creating significant risks for business travellers.
Poland prolongs internal border checks with Germany and Lithuania until 4 October 2026
Warsaw has extended temporary ID checks at the German and Lithuanian borders until 4 October 2026 to curb secondary irregular migration. While inspections remain selective, businesses must plan for sporadic delays and ensure staff carry passports or ID cards on cross-border trips.