Travellers heading to Europe this summer are being advised to reconsider their flight timings due to significant delays caused by new biometric border checks at major airports. Jürgen Himmelmann, cofounder of Global Work & Travel, suggests avoiding late afternoon arrivals, tight onward connections, and peak weekend flights to mitigate the risk of long queues.

Reports indicate that airports such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Lisbon, and Geneva are experiencing lengthy delays, with some passengers missing connections and facing confusion over travel documentation. Himmelmann emphasises the importance of treating airport timing as a crucial part of trip planning. "The biggest shift for travellers this summer is that arrival time matters much more than it used to," he stated.

To minimise delays, Himmelmann recommends prioritising early morning arrivals between Tuesday and Thursday, especially at major European hubs. He notes that whilst no time is guaranteed to be queue-free, these slots generally avoid the heaviest leisure travel peaks. "Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning arrivals are often a better choice than landing late on a Friday, Saturday afternoon, or Sunday evening," he explained.

Travellers are also advised to keep their first day in Europe flexible, avoiding tightly scheduled activities or onward travel plans. "Arrival day should be the day you get through the airport, reach your accommodation, check in, eat, rest, and reset," Himmelmann advised. He also suggests checking for any preregistration requirements and ensuring travel documents are easily accessible.

In summary, the key to a smoother travel experience this summer is to build a buffer into arrival plans, reducing the pressure of potential delays

This story was selected and published by a human editor, with content adapted from original press material using AI tools. Spot an error? Report it here.