A number of European airports are reportedly unprepared for the upcoming post-Brexit fingerprinting requirements, potentially causing disruption for British holidaymakers later this year. Top industry figures have voiced concerns over many smaller EU airports’ lack of readiness to implement the new fingerprint technology due to be enforced from October.
The forthcoming European Entry/Exit System (EES) mandates that all UK nationals must submit biometric data when entering the EU for the first time. Any non-EU national travelling for a short stay and refusing to provide biometric data will be denied entry into the territory of European countries using EES. This system, which affects non-EU citizens, was not a concern for British travellers before Brexit as they typically used major hub airports. However, Brits frequently fly to less busy regional airports across Europe, many of which may not be equipped for the change.
Airline leaders are worried that these smaller airports haven’t made necessary preparations for the EES, potentially leading to extensive delays for UK visitors. The EES requires biometric data from all British nationals crossing into the EU, raising concerns about possible long queues if airports don’t accelerate their preparations or if the implementation deadline isn’t pushed back.
The global airline industry has given a clarion call for “urgent and coordinated action” to ensure terminals are prepped for new protocols by the autumn. This indicates potential stalling on the rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES).
Delays have been riddled with the fingerprinting mandate, originally scheduled for an October 6 launch, largely due to technical snags and concerns around data privacy. A recent deadline was established to eschew disruption during the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
Port of Dover is among those highlighting readiness amidst this ambiguity, although they’ve paused recruitment due to uncertainty over the timeline. Tim Reardon, Head of EU Exit at Dover, voiced his worries, saying: “We’re not expecting to get confirmation of the timetable until mid-August, which is one of the things that raises eyebrows. It doesn’t give us much time for hiring, but then we don’t want to commit funding and find that the whole thing is delayed for a year. Really we’re hoping it all goes ahead now, but the airports and road crossings have a tremendous amount of work to do.”
The EES scheme aims to track travellers from non-EU nations who dont require a visa each time they enter and exit the bloc. This replaces the customary scanning and stamping of passports required for most britons post-Brexit.
For outbound passers-by at Dover, along with passengers on Eurostar trains and Eurotunnel vehicle shuttles, it means enduring biometric checks prior to departure conducted by French authorities stationed in the UK.
Dover is in the process of setting up a registration area in the ferry holding zone. Here, vehicles are predicted to be held for approximately 90 minutes before their planned sailings.
The French tech facilitating this new scheme will allow registrants to input their photos and fingerprints using digital tablets, says Mr Reardon – however, it is still being fully fine-tuned. In order to streamline this process, new staff members will be recruited to distribute tablets to vehicle occupants, explain how to operate them and assist coach passengers with an alternative screening procedure.
Upon landing at an EU destination, those entering the EU via air travel will also face biometric checks. As the Entry-Exit System (EES) rolls out, swapping current passport stamping procedures, delayed implementation at any airport could potentially lead to widespread confusion.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently drew attention to the pressing 6th October deadline, expressing serious concern on behalf of European airlines. Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Europe regional head said earlier this month: “The industry is concerned there are critical unresolved items which will require urgent and coordinated action from both the EU and member states prior to its implementation.”
Schvartzman has petitioned for a transitional period, where measures should be put into place to “alleviate the impact of EES” if queues become unbearable. He suggests, along with the IATA, the creation of a help hotline to provide airlines with assistance for travellers.
The European Commission, which has previously stated that all necessary preparations for the EES must be completed before its introduction, has yet to respond to queries about potential delays. In Dover, work on roads and infrastructure needed for the EES is ongoing, with plans to fill in the outdated Granville dock to make additional space for the scheme by next summer, when traffic volumes are expected to significantly increase compared to winter levels.
There are concerns that the mobile application for the Entry-Exit System (EES), due to be launched in October, may not be ready in time, suggesting that Brits at EU borders could face lengthy waiting times. However, official representatives have neither confirmed nor denied any specific date for the launch of the EES application, which is anticipated to streamline the process for users.
The introduction of the EES mobile application would be a welcome development, as the automated system would record all entries into the EU, including visa-exempt travellers, short-stay visa holders and entry refusals. This move comes as irregular migration to the EU hits record highs and the management of migration becomes increasingly challenging. A survey conducted by the Department for Transport revealed that 15 per cent of people in England said they will be less likely to travel to Europe once the EES is introduced.