Britain’s second-largest leisure airline, Jet2, used its 8 July trading update to warn passengers that EU biometric border checks are already causing “hours-long” queues at major continental gateways and that some of its flights have left half-empty because travellers were stuck at immigration. Chief executive Steve Heapy singled out Spain – one of Jet2’s top three markets – noting that Málaga, Alicante and the Balearic airports are proving pinch-points. He advised customers to reach the airport well in advance of departure and said Jet2 would continue to lobby Brussels for operational flexibilities. The comments come a day after the European Commission rejected industry calls to suspend the Entry/Exit System over the summer, admitting there are “20 difficult spots” across the bloc but insisting a full pause is “not possible”. Spanish operator Aena has already redeployed staff and opened extra e-gates, but throughput remains below pre-EES levels for non-EU arrivals and departures. For travel-managers booking Spain conferences and incentive trips, the airline’s warning translates into higher schedule risk: lateness at check-in could cascade into missed connections or additional overnight stays.
![Jet2 tells customers to arrive early as EES queues lengthen at Spanish airports]()
At this stage, digital visa specialist VisaHQ can help minimise border friction. Its Spain page supplies up-to-date entry guidance, streamlined application tools and optional concierge processing, giving delegates confidence that their paperwork is in order and helping them move through biometric checkpoints more smoothly.
Some corporations are moving client meetings from Friday afternoon to Monday morning to allow buffer time. DMCs in the Costa del Sol report a 15 % rise in requests for VIP fast-track packages that include private coaching past biometric lines. Jet2’s booking data nevertheless show capacity to Spain up 7 % year-on-year, evidence that demand remains robust despite the hassle. If queues persist, however, sentiment could shift in favour of Turkey and North Africa, destinations where Jet2 is also growing and where EU border tech does not apply. Spanish tourism boards are therefore watching EES performance closely; any perception of ‘airport chaos’ risks denting the record 14 million international seats scheduled for July. Aena is expected to publish updated wait-time statistics ahead of the 15 August holiday peak.
At this stage, digital visa specialist VisaHQ can help minimise border friction. Its Spain page supplies up-to-date entry guidance, streamlined application tools and optional concierge processing, giving delegates confidence that their paperwork is in order and helping them move through biometric checkpoints more smoothly.
Some corporations are moving client meetings from Friday afternoon to Monday morning to allow buffer time. DMCs in the Costa del Sol report a 15 % rise in requests for VIP fast-track packages that include private coaching past biometric lines. Jet2’s booking data nevertheless show capacity to Spain up 7 % year-on-year, evidence that demand remains robust despite the hassle. If queues persist, however, sentiment could shift in favour of Turkey and North Africa, destinations where Jet2 is also growing and where EU border tech does not apply. Spanish tourism boards are therefore watching EES performance closely; any perception of ‘airport chaos’ risks denting the record 14 million international seats scheduled for July. Aena is expected to publish updated wait-time statistics ahead of the 15 August holiday peak.
