The European Union has made a U-turn on its decision-making process regarding the Entry/Exit System (EES), opting against suspending new biometric border checks despite mounting pressure from airlines and airports. The move comes just as the peak summer travel period is about to begin, with millions of British tourists set to jet off to popular destinations across Europe.
Industry bodies such as IATA have been vocal in their opposition to the EES, citing concerns over significant delays and disruptions at major European gateways, including Málaga, Alicante, and Palma. Airlines like Ryanair have warned of "queue chaos" during peak season, echoing reports of existing problems in countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Belgium.
Despite these warnings, EU officials insist that a full suspension is not necessary or possible. They argue that operating the system unevenly across member states could lead to complex issues such as stranded travellers, who might exceed their 90-day travel allowance within a 180-day period if their entry and exit points have different operational statuses.
The EES has been in development since 2013, with its introduction aimed at strengthening border controls following terror attacks in Brussels and Paris. The system allows for biometric checks to be taken upon entry into the Schengen area, which are then verified each time travellers leave and re-enter. While only 20 out of 1,500 border crossing points have been deemed "difficult spots", airports and ports still face significant challenges as the system rolls out.
The EU maintains that the EES is proving effective, with over 110 million journeys registered in and out of the Schengen area since its introduction. Approximately 44,500 individuals have been refused entry due to various reasons, including overstaying their visitor allowance or attempting to re-enter illegally. Officials also pointed to attempts by some travellers to circumvent the 90-day rule using a second passport, which were detected through the new biometric checks.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is facing delays, according to a report in the Financial Times. This separate system requires non-EU nationals to pre-authorise their travel before entering the Schengen area, raising questions about its implementation timeline.