Ryanair could ‘redirect capacity’ from Malta due to border check delays, how long are the queues?
Since the Entry/Exit System (EES) has been introduced, it has created chaos for travellers.
The Entry/Exit System (EES), which is a new digital border system that has changed requirements for British citizens travelling to the Schengen area, was introduced on October 12, 2025. Countries in the Schengen area include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. However the EES is not applicable when travelling to the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus as they are not within the Schengen area.
According to the Government’s website, “On your first visit to the Schengen area, you may be asked to create a digital record at the port or airport on arrival. You may be asked to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths. You don’t need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country. The checks may take slightly longer than previously, so be prepared to wait during busy times.”
On April 13, 2026, NationalWorld reported that “More than 100 EasyJet passengers were left stranded in Milan after a flight to Manchester took off without them after they were left queuing for up to three hours due to the chaos of the new EU entry-exit system.”
According to reports, “Passengers were reportedly left ‘vomiting and passing out’ at Milan's Linate airport after queuing for up to three hours.”
Due to the border check delays, it has now been reported that Ryanair could ‘redirect capacity’ from Malta. The Times of Malta reported that “David O’Brien, CEO of Ryanair’s Malta subsidiary Malta Air, told the Times of Malta he wrote to Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri seeking assurances that border controls will be fully staffed for the summer season.”
David O’Brien told Times of Malta that “If we find ourselves with significant congestion and delay, we’d have to redirect capacity away from Malta to other destinations and that’s not something we’d like to do.”
How long are the delays at Malta?
In the Facebook group for Malta Travel Tips • Valletta • Mdina • Gozo • Blue Lagoon, someone wrote: “I use the assistance at Malta airport all the time but not we i land the last time I was there over the Xmas holidays last year it took about 15 minutes to get through customs but my friends who live in Malta have told me that it’s got worse 30-45 minutes and the same going back to the United Kingdom .”
In the Malta 🇲🇹🇲🇹🇲🇹 Facebook group, someone asked five days ago the question “I’m flying to Malta in may from Birmingham, I was just wondering what the situation is like with the new EES system in place are their long delays or is everything okay?? Thanks guys.”
In response, one person wrote: “I arrived yesterday and wasn't even aware of the changes but they just took my fingerprints at passport control. No delays.”
Another person wrote five days ago that “I arrived today, no delays or problems with the new system, queue moved fairly quickly!”