Swiss Airports Warn Non-EU Travelers of Longer Delays

Swiss airports have issued an important warning to international travelers, particularly those arriving from countries outside the European Union. Passengers may experience significantly longer waiting times at border control checkpoints due to the implementation of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES).

The EES requires non-EU nationals traveling to and from the Schengen Area for short stays to register biometric information, including fingerprints and facial photographs, at border crossings. The new digital system is designed to strengthen border security and improve the monitoring of traveler movements across Europe.

As a result, travelers arriving in Switzerland may face additional processing times while their biometric data is collected and verified. Airport authorities have advised passengers to allow extra time when planning their journeys.

Zurich Airport has warned that waiting times could reach up to one hour during peak travel periods. Geneva Airport has also indicated that passengers may experience delays as the new procedures are introduced.

Airport officials have further noted that the situation could become more challenging in the coming weeks as the summer holiday season approaches. Increased passenger numbers combined with the new registration requirements are expected to place additional pressure on border control operations.

Travelers are encouraged to arrive early, keep all travel documents ready, and follow airport guidance to ensure a smoother travel experience. Swiss authorities continue to monitor the implementation of the system and are working to minimize disruptions for passengers.

Ebookers to Shut Down Swiss Travel Platform in September

Ebookers will officially close its Swiss operations later this year, ending its travel booking services in Switzerland from September 2, 2026.

The online travel provider confirmed on its website that its Swiss website, mobile application, and Bonus+ loyalty programme will all be discontinued in early September.

Customers can continue making bookings through Ebookers until the shutdown date. However, the company stated that any trips booked between June 12 and September 2, 2026, must be completed by November 1, 2026.

The closure affects all travel-related services offered by Ebookers in Switzerland, including hotel reservations, flights, holiday packages, car rentals, and activity bookings.

Existing reservations will still be eligible for changes or cancellations under normal conditions. After September 2, hotel bookings connected to Ebookers will continue through Hotels.com, which belongs to the same corporate group.

Both Ebookers and Hotels.com operate under the US-based travel company Expedia Group.

Swiss media outlet Blick first reported the closure of Ebookers’ Swiss services. The company has not publicly explained the reasons behind the decision to exit the Swiss market.

The move comes amid increasing competition in the online travel sector and changing consumer booking habits across Europe.

Long Traffic Jams Build Early at Switzerland’s Gotthard Tunnel.

Heavy traffic congestion has already formed at the northern entrance of the Gotthard Road Tunnel as holiday and transit traffic intensifies across Switzerland.

According to the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS), a queue measuring approximately 9 kilometres had developed at the north portal by 7:20am on Thursday morning.

Motorists faced waiting times exceeding 90 minutes before entering the tunnel. Traffic authorities reported that the line of vehicles was divided into several sections between Erstfeld and Göschenen.

Drivers heading south were advised to use the alternative route via the A13 motorway and the San Bernardino Tunnel to avoid severe delays.

Traffic pressure at the Gotthard route has remained high in recent days. On Wednesday afternoon, authorities had already recorded a traffic jam stretching around 10 kilometres at the same location.

The Gotthard corridor is one of Europe’s most important north-south transit routes, particularly during holiday periods and long weekends, often leading to significant congestion at tunnel access points.

Swiss traffic authorities continue to monitor the situation and recommend that travelers check live traffic updates before beginning their journeys.