Several airports in the EU are not ready to welcome third-country nationals, including British nationals with the new post-Brexit fingerprinting rules, which will be implemented in October.
This concerns many smaller airports across the EU that have failed to prepare checking devices for British citizens, including installing the fingerprint technology, Schengen.News reports.
These check-ups are necessary for third-country nationals travelling to the EU, who will have their biometric data checked when crossing the border for the first time, as the European Entry-Exit System (EES) requires.
Brits to Deal With A Total Chaos if EU Airports Delay EES
According to the Telegraph, the situation can cause “chaos” for Brits unless the timeline is postponed until it is fully operational.
British tourists often land in regional airports in holiday destinations across the continent that can be relatively empty much of the year. Airline bosses fear many of these smaller airports have not prepared for the new rules.
The French police will be carrying out the pre-departure biometric checks at Dover as well as Eurostar trains and Eurotunnel vehicles.
Tim Reardon, Dover’s representative of EU exit, told the Telegraph that there is no confirmation on when EES will be operated.
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.
A registration zone is being established in Dover where cars will be waiting before heading to the EU. The registration process includes captured photos and fingerprints using a tablet device.
In June, Rafael Schvartzman from IATA warned that there are matters regarding the ESS that have not been resolved yet.
Will the EES Application Be Ready for October?
The mobile application for the Entry-Exit System (EES), set to be implemented in October, might not be ready on time, indicating that Brits at EU borders will deal with long waiting times.
However, the official representatives have not confirmed nor denied any date regarding the launch of the EES application, which is expected to make this procedure smoother for its users.
The EES mobile application would be a relief, as the automated system would register all entries to the EU, including visa-exempt travellers, short-stay visa holders and refusals of entry.
This initiative came after irregular migration to the EU has been reaching record highs and managing migration has gotten out of control.
A Department for Transport survey revealed 15 per cent of people in England said they will be less likely to travel to Europe once the EES is introduced.
