EES deadline expires: Biometric checks may gradually return, raising risk of border queues

With the expiry of the measures introduced by Brussels to facilitate the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), travelers heading to the European Union may once again face long waits at border crossing points.

The deadline expired on September 6, while airlines have asked the European Commission to extend it until the end of the year. According to sources cited by The Guardian, some member states may choose to gradually reinstate biometric checks.

Despite the concerns, most European airports did not face unmanageable waits during the summer season. In the worst-case scenario, some passengers missed their flights. The aviation sector believes that a chaotic situation was avoided thanks to the easing of rules on the collection of biometric data, including the fingerprints of nationals arriving from countries outside the EU.

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at Abta, the UK travel industry’s trade association, said the organization was continuing to urge the European Commission to extend the suspension of border checks beyond September. He said the request was linked to the fact that “there is still a long way to go before the EES is operational in all participating countries.”

The equipment needed to register biometric data is still not fully operational at some of the main points of movement between the United Kingdom and France. These include the Eurotunnel, the Port of Dover and the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras.