The European Union has rejected calls from airports and airlines to suspend the implementation of new fingerprinting and facial recognition border controls, even as officials acknowledge there are 20 'difficult spots' experiencing queue chaos. With only a week before the peak summer holiday season begins, EU officials stated that the new Entry/Exit System (EES) is 'not perfect' but a full suspension is 'not needed' and 'not possible'.
How the EES works
Under the EES, non-EU passengers must register fingerprints and facial images the first time they enter the Schengen zone. Subsequently, their biometrics are verified every time they leave and re-enter the area. The system was designed to address weaknesses in border controls exposed by the 2015 and 2016 terror attacks in Brussels and Paris.
Industry demands for suspension
Airlines, airport representatives, and the International Air Transport Association (Iata) last week demanded a suspension of the new controls until next summer, citing fears of chaos in holiday hotspots. Iata reported that passengers are experiencing 'delays and missed connections' in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Belgium. Ryanair specifically warned of 'queue chaos' in airports including Alicante, Málaga, and Palma.
However, EU officials argue that it is impossible to have the system operational in some countries but not others, as this would lead to 'the unfortunate situation of travellers stranded at border crossings.' For instance, a passenger from Britain entering the Schengen area at a border where the new controls are active but leaving via a border where they are not could be registered as overstaying the 90-day travel allowance in any 180-day period, risking refusal of entry on a future trip.
Difficult spots and mitigation
Officials revealed that out of 1,500 border crossing points, only 20 are 'difficult spots.' They are putting pressure on member states to implement measures to ease the strain. One particularly problematic site is a small regional airport where 3,000 passengers arrive in one hour but only four booths are available for biometric checks. However, officials noted that since this is a holiday destination, the problem occurs only 'two or three months a year.'
Lisbon has already eased queues by deploying extra workers, and 50 new Frontex border agency staff are being stood up at Brussels airport. 'I think we have recurrent progressive improvements everywhere,' an EU official added.
System results and refusals
The EU maintains that the system is achieving its intended results. It has captured 110 million journeys in and out of the Schengen area, and approximately 44,500 people have been refused entry. These include passengers trying to re-enter the bloc illegally, either because they have overstayed a visitor allowance or attempted to enter using a second passport or false travel documents.
EU officials revealed that the biggest reason for refused entry is 'no appropriate justification of visit or stay.' The second largest category, about 9,000 people, are those who overstayed their 90-day visitor allowance. Additionally, more than 1,000 people were stopped at the border because they were 'considered a threat to internal security,' while 300 were caught using false passports or travel documents.
Delays in full implementation
Issues with French technology have been blamed for delays in fully implementing the system at Eurotunnel, which has invested £80 million in infrastructure that is not yet fully operational. Under the plans, French border officials were to provide an iPad or tablet to drivers and passengers to verify fingerprints and facial images, but this has not yet launched.
A time-saving mobile app developed by Frontex that would allow passengers to upload some data before leaving home is only fully operational in Sweden and partly in Portugal. After a meeting with air transport chiefs, a European Commission spokesperson said they are 'working hard' with national authorities to address issues, including IT systems holding back automation and the rollout of the pre-registration app. The Commission also reminded airports that funds are available to pay for additional Frontex personnel at under-pressure border points.
Opt-out and future
Under current EES regulations, airports and ports can temporarily suspend the system if queues become unmanageable, but that opt-out is due to end in September. So far, 'no member states have requested' a suspension beyond September, something the travel industry wants. The EU is also reportedly delaying the introduction of a separate pre-authorisation visa system, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), similar to the US Esta system, according to the Financial Times.
