EU's Chaotic Border System May Delay New Travel Authorization

The European Union's new electronic Entry/Exit System (EES) is reportedly causing significant chaos at border crossings and airports, leading to discussions about delaying another major travel initiative, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

Introduced in April, the EES replaced manual passport stamping for citizens of third countries entering the Schengen Area. It electronically logs every entry and exit and collects facial photos and fingerprints during the first border crossing. The system aims to improve tracking of legal stays, detect overstays, and prevent identity fraud. However, its implementation has led to considerable delays at some border points and airports, prompting concerns from the European air industry, especially during peak tourist season.

In response to the congestion, the European Commission has confirmed that border guards can temporarily waive biometric data collection in exceptional circumstances to speed up passenger flow. This measure, however, does not eliminate border controls but offers a temporary solution to manage queues. The agency eu-LISA, responsible for managing European IT systems for borders and security, has acknowledged that launching the EES by the end of the year is unlikely.

Sources familiar with the discussions indicate that the primary reason for considering a delay in the ETIAS launch, originally planned for the last quarter of this year, is the instability of the EES. The focus is on resolving the current system's issues before introducing another potentially complex system. The consensus among some sources is that introducing ETIAS while EES is still being stabilized would be counterproductive, potentially exacerbating waiting times. Further discussions on adjusting the timeline are expected in the autumn.