Story perspectives

EU ends aviation EES flexibility, airlines warn of delays

9/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

The European Union ended the EES flexibility period on 6 September 2026.
IATA senior vice president Thomas Reynaert urged extending the partial-suspension safety valve.
Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland requested an extension.
Airlines and tourism groups warned the loss of flexibility could cause longer queues and missed flights.
Border officials in Greece and the United Kingdom exempted UK travelers from biometric checks.

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Story summary

The European Union ended the EES flexibility period on 6 September 2026.
IATA senior vice president Thomas Reynaert urged extending the partial-suspension safety valve.
Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland requested an extension.
Airlines and tourism groups warned the loss of flexibility could cause longer queues and missed flights.
Border officials in Greece and the United Kingdom exempted UK travelers from biometric checks.