Four-hour passport queues hit Paris-CDG as EES summer traffic peaks

Real-time data from queue-tracking site Qsensor on 8 July showed passport-control waits at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Terminal 2E exceeding 240 minutes during the morning wave of long-haul arrivals—the worst since the Entry/Exit System became mandatory on 10 April. A separate report by The Local noted that EU officials have ruled out suspending EES despite calls from airlines to pause it for July–August. Airport operator Groupe ADP says only 60 % of its 118 biometric kiosks are operational pending software updates; manual booths are therefore handling first-time EES enrolments, slowing all lanes. Airlines are asking non-EU passengers to arrive up to four hours before departure; Air France is experimenting with a paid “EES Fast Lane” service for Business-class flyers from 15 July. For companies relocating staff or hosting conferences in Paris, extended arrival processes mean higher risk of missed rail or domestic flight connections; meeting planners should schedule buffer nights and consider VIP meet-and-assist services.