The roll-out of the European Entry-Exit System (EES), which automates the biometric registration of non-European travellers in the Schengen area, could be delayed. While a 100% transition was planned for the spring, the current ramp-up of the system continues to be hampered by technical difficulties.
Airports and airlines, notably the European airport association ACI Europe and the Fédération Nationale de l’Aviation et de ses Métiers (FNAM), are warning of the risk of significantly longer waiting times at borders.
In France, the pre-registration kiosks provided by Thales are still in the testing phase, limiting the expected fluidity. Several states are therefore considering extending the transition period to avoid saturation as the high season approaches.
Anticipate to avoid operational chaos
Although the CSAE is not directly involved in the technical roll-out, feedback from the field is clear: in the event of malfunctions, ground staff will be on the front line. Passenger information, queue and flow management, coordination with authorities and airlines – the impacts could be numerous and have immediate effects on the passenger experience and punctuality.
The CSAE’s position is unambiguous: grant additional time to allow the parties concerned to make the system fully reliable before its widespread implementation.
Improving border crossings is a shared objective, but this must be supported by reliable operational tools and processes in order to guarantee fluidity, quality of service and platform performance.