The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained everything you need to know about the upcoming EES.
JUST one month before the start of the EU’s new Entry Exit System, the entire launch has been delayed yet again.
Originally due to roll out in 2021, we are now told it will happen in phases with absolutely no specific timeline.
Many millions of pounds has been spent by the likes of Eurostar and Eurotunnel plus the Port of Dover in preparing for the imminent launch. Airports across Europe have had to invest heavily in new equipment and re-configure passport halls.
Now yet again, new processing areas will be moth-balled. It will be a source of huge frustration to the travel industry as a whole.
Talking to easyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren this week, he was adamant the system should never be launched until a pre-registration system was up and running.
An app is being developed to capture the data required by the Entry Exit System – facial biometrics and fingerprints – so it will take less time at busy borders with confined space.
But the European Commission had already confirmed this would not be ready for the proposed November launch.
And the easyJet CEO is right – without the means of allowing people to provide their information in advance, anyone connected with the new system could see that the time it would take to collect all the details would cause major delays.
While UK travellers will no doubt be relieved the system won’t launch until later in 2025, the chaos caused by the continual delays does nothing to engender confidence.
Other European governments have expressed their concerns too – Slovenia said it would take “four times longer” to process passengers, while Austrian authorities said it would be at least “double compared to the current situation”.
EES was meant to be introduced back in 2022.
The new border checks were then rescheduled for May 2023 and then late 2023, before the latest deadline was set.
Sun Online Travel have contacted the EU Home Affairs Commission for comment.
The new ETIAS system is also to be introduced, although this isn’t until next year.
ETIAS, a visa-waiver, will require all Brits to pay €7 when visiting Europe, and will last three years.
An official start date in 2025 is yet to be revealed
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The new Entry/Exit System has been delayed againCredit: PA
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Publish date : 2024-10-11 03:28:00
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