Fresh delays threaten Aussie travellers as Europe tightens border rules

Fresh delays could be felt at European airports as the region's new entry system becomes fully operational.

Australians travelling to Europe are being warned processing waits could be lengthy as authorities no longer have the flexibility to suspend border checks when queues become excessive.

The new European Union Entry/Exit system (EES), which is now in place in 29 countries, has caused nightmare queues since its inception as travellers move through airport processing.

The Australian Government's Smartraveller has warned Australians to bring food as airport delays of up to six have plagued holidaymakers entering the region.

Travellers entering some European airports have even missed flights because of the long waits at EES self-service kiosks.

Smartraveller is urging Aussies to "be prepared to stand for an extended time" and "take food and water if needed".

They also recommend allowing extra time between connecting flights, choosing flexible flight options and arriving well before your flight is due to leave.

Kate Baker, general manager at tour company UTracks, said the process for Australians hasn't changed.

"We still need to register our passport details, facial image and fingerprints when entering the Schengen area," Baker told Explore.

"The concern is simply that airports now have less flexibility to ease processing when things get busy."

She said lines could potentially become even more lengthy at airports that have already had "difficulties" processing EES passengers - but this is different from airport to airport.

"The problems are not uniform across Europe. At many airports EES is operating reasonably well and passengers are experiencing little additional delay," Baker said.

Brett Mitchell, managing director ANZ of Intrepid Travel, said peak European summer went "pretty smoothly", but he recommends turning up to the airport early.

"Families travelling with young kids should factor this in too. A long wait at a kiosk is a very different experience with a toddler in tow, so pack snacks, something to keep them entertained, and build in extra patience for everyone," Mitchell said.

"Queues can also move a little faster in countries that let you submit your initial data through the EES mobile app first, so it's worth checking whether that's an option for where you're headed.

"A bit of preparation goes a long way, and travellers who go in with the right expectations, food, water, a bit of patience, tend to find the process a lot smoother than those who assume it'll be quick."

He said we're in the shoulder season of European travel now, so busier hubs could actually be quieter.

Travellers who want to avoid the the crowds could look at holidaying in lesser-known destinations.

"The EES is still finding its feet, but every traveller who goes through it now makes it a little smoother for the next one," Mitchell said.

"A bit of planning on timing, and on where you go goes a long way to making sure a border delay doesn't overshadow what's usually a pretty incredible trip."

Hours-long delays and airport chaos were still plaguing European borders almost three months after the new digital traveller checks were rolled-out across the region.

When the EU border biometric checks were first initiated, a UK paper reported a local family was stuck at Charles de Gaulle airport for more than five hours in queues. They ended up missing their flight home.

In another incident, more than 100 passengers missed an EasyJet flight from Milan to Manchester after being unable to clear passport control in time, another UK media outlet reported.

A week later, Ryanair passengers at Milan airport were stuck in a queue so long they had to watch their flight leave without them, according to more reports.

It's a one-off registration, but it does take time - particularly at busier airports.

Intrepid's Mitchell explained the EES is a digital identity record for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area.

"It replaces the old passport stamp with a facial image and fingerprint scan the first time you cross an external border, then checks you against that record every time after. It's designed to streamline things over time, not just tighten them," Mitchell said.

He said the system will be "a good thing" for Aussies in the long term.

"A system that runs the same way everywhere is a lot easier to plan around than one where the rules keep shifting depending on which country you're entering through," he said.

"There are still some countries further along than others in getting there, and a few technical and staffing kinks being worked through at certain crossings, so it's worth going in prepared. But this is genuine progress toward something more predictable, not less."