New App Aims to Eliminate Rental Desk Queues for Non-EU Travelers
As Europe implements its new biometric Entry-Exit System (EES) for non-European Union travelers, airport queues have reportedly stretched to four hours or more during peak periods. In response to these growing arrival bottlenecks, mobility platform Woop Drive has launched an innovative desk-free car rental service that allows travelers to complete all verification and vehicle access through a mobile application.
Biometric System Creates Major Airport Delays
The EES system requires non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area to register biometric data including fingerprints and facial images during their initial entry. Airport industry groups have warned that this new requirement has increased passenger processing times at border control by up to four or five times compared to previous procedures.
International Air Transport Association data indicates global passenger numbers are expected to exceed five billion this year, placing unprecedented pressure on arrival systems that still rely heavily on manual checks and in-person verification processes.
Service Launches Across Popular Destinations
Woop Drive's platform has already gone live across several destinations popular with non-EU travelers, including:
- Greece
- Spain
- Montenegro
- United Arab Emirates
- Seychelles
The company's CEO, Ričardas Šukys, explained the rationale behind the new service: "As border control becomes more complex for non-EU travelers, the pressure doesn't stop once passengers clear passport checks. Renting a car right after landing often adds stress and lost time, even when bookings are made online. We wanted to make the process as simple as ordering through an app."
Delays Extend Beyond Border Control
While much attention has focused on extended passport control queues, delayed arrivals frequently trigger congestion across other parts of the travel experience. Car rental counters, transportation pick-up points, and hotel check-ins have all experienced increased bottlenecks, particularly at high-traffic leisure destinations during peak travel periods.
The desk-free rental model is specifically designed to reduce friction for travelers whose arrival times have become increasingly unpredictable due to border delays. According to a recent study by J.D. Power, skipping traditional rental counters results in 36% faster vehicle pick-up and increases customer satisfaction by up to 8%.
Peak Travel Periods Add Urgency
Airports and travel associations have warned that arrival delays could worsen significantly during Easter and the summer travel peak, especially when multiple international flights land within short intervals. Travelers from non-EU countries are being advised to factor in longer arrival times throughout 2026, particularly during busy holiday seasons.
The rollout of EES represents one of the most significant changes to European border management in decades. For travel operators, this development is accelerating a broader industry shift away from manual, counter-based services toward fully digital arrival solutions.
Industry Shift Toward Digital Solutions
As arrival times become less predictable, services that rely on in-person handovers are increasingly vulnerable to delays, according to industry executives. The Woop Drive platform represents a growing trend toward app-based solutions that eliminate paperwork and physical queues entirely.
The service allows travelers to complete all necessary verification processes digitally before arrival, then access their rental vehicles directly through the mobile application upon reaching their destination. This approach not only saves time but also reduces physical contact points and streamlines the post-arrival experience for weary travelers.
