EU rejects calls to suspend biometric border controls despite travel chaos

Created at 7 Jul · 11:46 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant

IN SHORT

The EU has rejected requests from airlines and airports to suspend its new biometric border controls, citing concerns about travel chaos during the peak summer season. Officials acknowledge "20 difficult spots" but state a full suspension is neither needed nor possible.

Key Numbers

20difficult spots with border controls

1,500border crossing points in the EU

8years in the making for the controls

110 millionjourneys captured by the EES

44,500people refused entry by the EES

9,000people stopped for overstaying visitor allowance

1,000people stopped as security threats

300caught using false passports

£80minvested in Eurotunnel infrastructure

Who's Involved

EU officials

rejected calls to suspend biometric border controls

International Air Transport Association (Iata)

demanded suspension of new border controls

Ryanair

warned of queue chaos at airports

Frontex

border agency staff deployed at Brussels airport

↳ Why This Matters

The EU's decision to proceed with its new biometric border controls, despite acknowledged implementation challenges and industry warnings, will impact millions of non-EU travelers during the peak summer holiday season, potentially leading to significant delays and disruptions at airports across the Schengen area.

Key facts

The EU has rejected calls to suspend its new biometric border controls.
Airlines and airports cited fears of chaos during the peak summer holiday season.
The new entry/exit system (EES) requires non-EU passengers to register fingerprints and facial images.
EU officials admitted to "20 difficult spots" but stated a full suspension is not necessary or feasible.
The EES has reportedly led to 44,500 people being refused entry, including overstayers and security threats.

The European Union has decided against suspending its new biometric border controls, which include fingerprinting and facial recognition for non-EU travelers, despite widespread concerns from the travel industry about potential chaos during the upcoming summer holiday season. Airlines, airports, and the International Air Transport Association (Iata) had called for a suspension until next summer, citing delays and missed connections at various European airports.

EU officials acknowledged that there are approximately "20 difficult spots" where implementation is challenging but stated that a complete suspension is "not needed" and "not possible." They argued that a partial suspension would create an "unfortunate situation of travellers stranded at border crossings" and could lead to individuals being registered as overstayers, risking future entry denial.

The new entry/exit system (EES) requires non-EU passengers to register their biometrics upon their first entry into the Schengen zone and verify them upon subsequent departures and entries. The system, which has been in development for eight years and faced multiple delays, has already led to the refusal of entry for around 44,500 individuals, including those attempting to re-enter illegally, overstayers, and individuals deemed security threats.

While some airports are implementing measures to ease queues, such as deploying extra staff and border agency personnel, issues with technology, particularly in France for the Eurotunnel, have hampered full implementation. The EU maintains that the system is already achieving its intended results in enhancing border security and managing travel allowances.

Frequently asked questions

The EES requires non-EU passengers to register fingerprints and facial images upon their first entry into the Schengen zone and verify these biometrics upon subsequent departures and entries.

They fear the new system will cause significant delays and queue chaos, especially during the busy summer holiday season, leading to missed connections and travel disruptions.

The system aims to track entries and exits, preventing overstays of the 90-day limit within any 180-day period. Refusals of entry have already occurred for overstayers, those using dual passports to circumvent the rules, and individuals deemed security threats.

The EU is reportedly delaying the introduction of Etias, a pre-authorisation visa system similar to the US Esta system.

What Happens Next

01The opt-out period for airports and ports to temporarily suspend the system ends in September.

02Member states are expected to implement measures to ease pressure at the "difficult spots."

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Cadence

How It Developed

Airlines and airports demanded suspension of new biometric border controls.

EU officials stated a full suspension is not needed or possible.

The new entry/exit system (EES) requires fingerprints and facial images for non-EU passengers.

Officials acknowledged "20 difficult spots" with potential queue chaos.

The EU stated that partial suspension would create issues for travelers.

The EES has been in development for eight years and was delayed multiple times.

The system has captured 110 million journeys and refused entry to 44,500 people.

Issues with French technology have delayed full implementation at Eurotunnel.

Sources

EU rejects suspending biometric border controls despite 20 ‘difficult spots’The Guardian