EU - Customs Delays - Schengen Area

Increased security and understaffing at border controls at several Schengen-area airports are resulting in extended queues and severe delays. Some anecdotal reports indicate travelers could experience waits of as long as four hours on arrival or departure from Brussels Charleroi (CRL), Lisbon Portela (LIS), Lyon Brindas (LYS), Madrid Barajas (MAD), Milan Malpensa (MXP), Palma de Mallorca (PMI), and Paris Orly (ORY) airports. Other airports in the Schengen zone could be affected as well. 

The long queues are due to reinforced checks and tighter security at entry and exit enacted following a series of terror attacks in Europe. The delays are being compounded by seasonal absences and understaffing. Delays could increase in the coming weeks, as the new Schengen-wide regulations have not taken full effect as of August 1. While the increased scrutiny is aimed primarily at travelers who are not holders of Schengen-area passports, the staffing shortage is compounding delays for all travelers, regardless of nationality. Travellers are advised to arrive at airports well ahead of time.