EU’s Entry/Exit System has been set to be launched on 10 November this year. Previously, it was announced to be in effect on 6 October. The delay has been announced to give more time to the member states to better integrate the latest system for entry and exit at the airports.
As per the Guardian, the new start date for the biometric checks at the airport has been delayed due to the fear of long queues in October. Though the EU Commission has not yet officially announced this new date, the chances are that the date might also be delayed again for one more week making it possible on 17 November even.
The decision to delay the implementation of the new system raises concerns about its readiness, especially since it was originally scheduled to start in 2021. The French authorities are adamant that the new border controls should not be introduced until after the Paris Olympics.
Potential issues
Warnings have been issued about potential long queues at British entry points like the Port of Dover and Eurostar’s St Pancras terminal. These locations serve as the physical French and EU border within England, where passengers must clear customs before boarding ferries or trains.
European airports, facing the possibility of the EES deadline affecting their late summer season, had advocated for a further delay in the system’s rollout.
What is EES in the EU?
Under the new entry-exit system (EES), non-EU citizens will need to register their biometric information, including fingerprints and facial scans, at the border. This process will be overseen by an EU officer during the traveler’s first visit. The EES records the following details:
- the person’s name;
- type of travel document;
- refusal of entry;
- biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images); and
- the date and place of entry and exit, in full respect of fundamental rights and data protection.