EU Entry-Exit System Flexibility Period Ends, Airlines Call for Extension

With the official end of the flexibility measures implemented for the entry-exit system (EES) of European Union countries, those traveling to the EU may again face long queues at border gates. However, multiple sources have stated that some member states will not implement biometric checks.

Airlines last week called on the European Commission to extend until the end of 2026 the discretionary power that allows EES checks to be suspended if necessary. The 'flexibility' period ends today.

During the peak of the summer holiday season, the long queues seen at some European airports in early summer, which in the worst cases caused many passengers to miss their flights, have not been repeated. But the aviation and travel industry believes further chaos has been averted by the relaxation of rules on requesting biometric information, including fingerprinting, from citizens of non-EU countries.

Although Brussels has not extended the discretionary period, it appears that passengers traveling to France via the Channel will not face any changes next week. This is due to technical problems in the software commissioned by the French authorities for EES.

Fingerprint kiosks supplied at high cost by Eurotunnel, the Port of Dover and Eurostar at London St Pancras are still not operational. The Port of Dover announced that it does not expect any changes next week, and motorists are not yet subject to EES checks.

Speaking to the Guardian, a senior airline source said that they would follow the developments closely, but did not expect the controls to be fully implemented at Europe's busiest airports.

It has been observed that border officials in major destinations visited by foreign tourists, especially Greece, have actually exempted UK citizens from EES checks in order to avoid queues. The source stated that they expect this practice to continue.

Luke Petherbridge, public affairs director of the UK travel industry organization Abta, stated that "there is still a distance to be covered for the EES to become fully and consistently operational in all participating countries" and that they are continuing their initiatives with the European Commission to maintain the discretion to suspend border controls after September.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata), which represents airline companies, also called for an official extension of the period last week, stating that EES-related delays caused passengers to miss their flights and transfers.

"We are in close and constructive contact with a small number of member states where arrangements need to be made at some border crossing points," the European Commission Spokesperson said at the beginning of last week.