Travellers to EU face renewed queues as border-check flexibility rules expire

Подробности

Automated EU entry-exit system (EES) kiosks at Madrid-Barajas airport. Photograph: Juan Medina/Reuters View image in fullscreen Automated EU entry-exit system (EES) kiosks at Madrid-Barajas airport. Photograph: Juan Medina/Reuters Travel & leisure Travellers to EU face renewed queues as border-check flexibility rules expire Sources indicate some members states will not enforce EES biometric controls after 6 September deadline

Prefer the Guardian on Google Travellers to the EU could face renewed border queues as flexibility measures for the bloc’s entry-exit system officially come to an end – although numerous sources have indicated that some member states will not enforce biometric checks.

Airlines last week called on the European Commission to extend discretionary powers to pause EES controls when necessary until the end of 2026, with the deadline for “flexibility” passing on 6 September.

Peak holiday season has not resulted in a repeat of the long queues seen at some European airports in early summer, which at worst led to numerous passengers missing flights. But the aviation and travel industry believes further chaos was averted only through relaxation of the rules demanding biometric information, including fingerprinting of non-EU-citizens.

While Brussels has not extended the discretionary period, it appears that cross-Channel travellers to France will not face changes next week because of technical problems with the EES software commissioned by French authorities.