Neal McMahon, Ryanair’s chief operating officer, commented on the readiness of the infrastructure.
'It is clear that the entry/exit system (EES) is still not ready for peak summer volumes.
Passengers and families should not be used as guinea pigs for a half-baked passport control system that risks creating long queues, missed flights and unnecessary stress at airports this summer.'
Conceived a decade ago, the EES aims to provide Schengen travel area countries greater transparency over individuals entering and departing the EU.
Ireland and Cyprus are the only two European Union member nations not participating in the passport control program.
The official launch of the system suffered multiple delays before its implementation last October.
At that time, member states received options to opt out temporarily while technology and passenger fingerprinting logistics underwent testing.
Under current EES regulations, non-EU travelers must register their fingerprints and facial images upon their initial entry into the Schengen zone.
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Subsequent trips require travelers to verify their fingerprints or facial images at border security checkpoints during entry and exit.
The air travel industry sent a formal letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday outlining operational difficulties.
The industry stated it worked closely with Brussels for years, but the live system is now creating clear operational consequences.
The letter requested immediate intervention before conditions deteriorate further for travel authorities.
It noted that border officials, airports, and airline companies are already operating under unsustainable levels of pressure.
