At the least 9 countries have reportedly delayed implementing the European Union’s controversial entry-exit system (EES).
British travellers and different non-EU residents skilled a summer of long queues in airports as that they had to offer fingerprints and a facial scan every time they entered the 29 international locations within the Schengen space.
France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Italy and Switzerland have been allowed to delay implementing the scheme to “preserve border fluidity”, in line with The Sunday Times, after the method has introduced queues on the border and software program difficulties.
The EES scheme was rolled out from October final 12 months with expectations it could be absolutely in power by April.
Nations have been subsequently granted a 150-day grace interval the place they might drop the checks over the summer time as a way to keep away from journey chaos.
Whereas this grace interval expired on 6 September, the 9 international locations reportedly informed the European Fee they’d not implement the brand new controls till the know-how and programs have been working accurately.
The publication added Brussels has informally permitted the international locations to take action. The European Fee declined to remark.
Airways and airports have criticised the EU’s dealing with of the brand new border checks, with Ryanair calling on the European Fee to “urgently lengthen the EES derogation till a minimum of April 2027” to provide airports and border authorities time to extend staffing ranges and make sure the system can function effectively earlier than full enforcement.
Ryanair’s chief operational officer Neal McMahon stated on Monday: “The EU’s dealing with of EES has been a shambles from begin to end.
“Airways, airports and border authorities repeatedly warned Brussels that the rollout was not prepared, that it could improve processing instances and that it could create extreme queues for passengers.
“These warnings have been ignored, with EU residents those delayed and disrupted.
“Passengers shouldn’t be made to pay the value for the EU’s failed EES rollout.”
A authorities spokesperson stated: “Whereas the brand new EES checks are a matter for the EU, we recognise it is a important change for British travellers and are doing all the pieces we are able to to get folks away on their summer time holidays with as little trouble as potential.
“We now have offered £10.5 million to enhance infrastructure on the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel and Eurostar, an additional £20 million to extend passport-checking and vehicle-holding capability on the Port of Dover and are supporting site visitors administration measures together with devoted welfare websites the place passengers can safely entry meals, water and amenities if extreme disruption happens.
“We’re grateful to the French authorities for his or her shut collaboration and their recognition of the necessity for prime ranges of border staffing over the summer time, and can proceed to work intently with our EU, operational and native companions to minimise delays for holidaymakers, hauliers and native communities.”