Malaga Airport Faces Passport Control Chaos as EES System Triggers Long Queues

December 29, 2025 at 03:00 PM•3 min read

Ryanair issued passenger warnings about long queues at Malaga Airport passport control due to the new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES), leading to a public dispute with the Spanish

Key Points

1Ryanair issued passenger warnings about EES-related delays at Spanish airports, advising extra arrival time.
2The Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) began its phased rollout in October 2025, causing congestion for non-EU travelers, particularly those on UK travel Malaga routes.
3Spanish National Police and Aena are in a public dispute over who is responsible for managing the long queues Spanish airports, with the police citing Aena for queue control.
4A passenger reported a 50-minute delay at Malaga Airport passport control during the peak Christmas travel period.

Airlines are warning passengers about long queues Spanish airports.

Budget carrier Ryanair recently sent an advisory to customers. This alert cited delays at Malaga Airport passport control. The issue stems from the new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES). This system is for travelers going to non-Schengen destinations.

Ryanair advised passengers to arrive with "extra time." They also suggested going directly to security and border control. The Irish airline openly blamed the Spanish National Police. Ryanair claimed the police were not ready for the EES rollout.

Operational Delays and Passenger Impact

The delays occurred during the busy Christmas holiday period. One passenger reported a 50-minute wait at border control. This was on a return flight from Dublin, Ireland. Only five police officers were reportedly processing hundreds of people. Self-service kiosks were also not fully operational for all travelers.

Non-Schengen travel, especially to the United Kingdom, is key at Malaga. Ryanair reports that 24% of its Christmas passengers from Malaga fly to the UK. These non-Schengen border checks are a major source of congestion.

The Blame Game: Police vs. Airline

Both the Spanish National Police and the government responded quickly. A police spokesperson called the Ryanair passenger warnings "incorrect." The police stated they are prepared for the EES implementation. They clarified that Aena queue management is the airport authority's job. Aena is the Spanish airports operator. The police spokesperson also warned the airline against provocation.

Central government representatives in Malaga supported the police. They noted that the EES has been in a minimal testing phase since October. Results have been "very satisfactory" with few isolated issues. The spokesperson also referenced past sanctions against the airline. Spain fined Ryanair €108 million in November 2024. This was for alleged "abusive treatment" of customers.

The EES Rollout Context

The EU's Schengen Entry/Exit System began its phased launch in October 2025. This new digital system replaces manual passport stamping. It records biometric data for non-EU nationals on short stays. Full implementation is expected by April 2026, according to EASA and EU bodies.

The EES aims to boost border security and track overstays.
During this transition, manual checks run parallel to the new system.
Aena insists that the problems are "normal adjustments."
The system's phased rollout plan is set by Spain's Ministry of the Interior.

This dispute highlights the operational challenges of new EU border technology. It also shows the tension between airlines and national authorities. Stakeholders must coordinate to ensure smooth passenger flow. Find more commercial aviation news at flying.flights.