Lanzarote Airport Passport Queues: Are EES Delays Really As Bad As Social Media Claims?

Lanzarote, Canary Islands – Viral social media posts showing passengers waiting hours at passport control at Lanzarote Airport have sparked concern among travellers planning holidays to the island. Headlines describing “tourists trapped in hellish queues for up to three hours” have spread rapidly online, raising questions about whether the Canary Islands are ready for the European Union’s new border systems.

But according to Mr TravelON, travel reporter and Canary Islands tourism expert, the reality may be very different from the dramatic images circulating online.

In his latest #TruthTravel investigation for TravelON World, Mr TravelON took to the streets of Puerto del Carmen to speak directly with tourists about their arrival experience at Lanzarote Airport and whether the situation is really as bad as people fear.

What Is Causing The Delays At Lanzarote Airport?

The queues being seen at Lanzarote Airport are largely linked to the introduction of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital border management system designed to record biometric data and track entry and exit for non-EU travellers.

The system particularly affects passengers arriving from the United Kingdom since Brexit, as UK visitors must now go through manual passport stamping and additional border checks.

However, despite the EU announcing that the full rollout of EES has been delayed until September 2026, confusion remains at many airports — including those in the Canary Islands.

Many travellers and airport staff report that some EES machines appear to be installed but not fully operational, leaving traditional passport stamping as the primary method of processing arrivals.

Social Media Shows Chaos — But Is It The Whole Story?

Over the past weeks, viral videos and posts have shown long lines of passengers stretching across airport halls, with some travellers claiming they waited between two and four hours to pass through passport control.

These images can create anxiety for people about to travel, particularly families arriving on holiday who expect their first experience of Lanzarote to be relaxing rather than stressful.

But when Mr TravelON asked tourists in Puerto del Carmen about their real experience, the responses told a slightly different story.

Tourists Say Most Arrivals Are Smooth

Speaking to visitors enjoying their holidays along the Puerto del Carmen strip, Mr TravelON asked two simple questions:

• What day did you arrive in Lanzarote?
• How long did you wait at passport control?

While some passengers did report longer waits, the majority said their arrival process was relatively quick and stress-free.

Many travellers reported waiting between 20 and 45 minutes, with several saying the queues moved steadily despite the number of arriving passengers.

As expected, visitors travelling on EU passports such as those from Ireland reported passing through immigration almost immediately.

Thursdays And Sundays Are The Problem Days

The interviews confirmed what many local tourism professionals already know — delays at Lanzarote Airport tend to happen at very specific times.

According to travellers and industry insiders, the biggest queues occur when multiple flights land within a short period, particularly during peak arrival windows.

In Lanzarote, this tends to happen most frequently on:

• Thursdays
• Sundays

During these periods, as many as eight aircraft can arrive within a single hour, creating sudden surges of passengers entering the terminal.

When this happens, passport control becomes overwhelmed, leading to the long waits that often end up appearing on social media.

Calls For Better Airport Management

Mr TravelON says the issue is less about the EES system itself and more about how arrivals are being managed.

“If the EU has rolled back the full EES implementation until September 2026, then surely airports should be able to manage the current system better,” he said.

“When eight flights land at the same time in a small airport like Lanzarote, queues are inevitable. The solution could be as simple as adjusting landing schedules or increasing passport control staffing during peak arrival windows.”

He also suggested that if the system is effectively in a transitional phase, authorities could temporarily ease certain procedures during the busiest arrival periods.

Why The Images Matter For Tourism

The Canary Islands depend heavily on tourism, welcoming millions of visitors every year from the UK, Ireland and across Europe.

Images of chaotic airport scenes can quickly spread online and influence travel decisions.

For many travellers planning their next holiday, seeing posts about people waiting hours at passport control can create unnecessary worry before they even arrive.

According to Mr TravelON, this is why it is important to show both sides of the story.

“Yes, there are days where the airport gets extremely busy, but for most arrivals the process is still relatively smooth. The last thing Lanzarote tourism needs is viral panic over something that happens during very specific peak times.”

Advice For Travellers Arriving In Lanzarote

For those planning a trip to Lanzarote, there are a few simple tips that could help reduce the chance of encountering long passport queues.

• Avoid flights arriving on Thursday or Sunday afternoons where possible.
• Expect slightly longer waits during peak winter tourism months.
• Have passports ready before reaching passport control.
• Follow airport staff instructions to keep queues moving smoothly.

Most importantly, travellers are reminded to remain patient with airport staff, who are working under pressure during peak arrival periods.

Pressure On Authorities To Fix The Issue

With the full rollout of the Entry/Exit System now delayed until September 2026, many tourism professionals believe the coming months present an opportunity to improve airport operations before the system becomes fully active.

Mr TravelON is calling on both AENA, the Spanish airport authority, and the Government of the Canary Islands to address the issue before it damages Lanzarote’s reputation as a smooth and welcoming destination.

“Lanzarote is one of the safest and most popular holiday destinations in Europe,” he said.

“But if the first experience people have is standing in a queue for hours, it risks leaving the wrong impression. This needs sorting before the full EES rollout arrives.”

The Reality: Lanzarote Remains One Of Europe’s Top Destinations

Despite the headlines and viral videos, Lanzarote continues to welcome thousands of visitors every day who experience a smooth arrival and go on to enjoy their holidays across the island.

From the beaches of Puerto del Carmen to the volcanic landscapes of Timanfaya National Park, tourism in Lanzarote remains strong.

And as Mr TravelON’s investigation shows, the situation at the airport may not be quite as dramatic as social media sometimes suggests.

However, with passenger numbers continuing to grow and new border systems on the horizon, improving airport arrival processes will remain a key priority for the Canary Islands tourism industry.

About the author

Mr TravelON is the brand ambassador for TravelON and one of the most watched travel experts in the Canary Islands, with more than 400000 followers across YouTube, TikTok and Facebook. Mr TravelON has worked in tourism for over 25 years with tour operators, excursion suppliers and the local Canary Islands tourism board. He is on the ground in tourist destinations filming content, reviewing tours and talking with holidaymakers every day. His advice comes from real experience and direct contact with the island. As a Travel expert and editor he brings the most up to date travel news.