The new EES set to be delayed much to the delight of British tourists in Majorca | World | News
The EES is a new digital border system changing requirements for British Nationals embarking on the Schengen area.
According to the Federal Foreign Office, the Schengen area includes all EU member states except Cyprus and Ireland.
At present, the EU members Romania and Bulgaria only apply some of the Schengen provisions.
However, these rules are set to be delayed again as some European airports are not yet ready for this new system.
Palma airport, the international airport located in Majorca, Spain is one such airport that is said to be delaying EES.
EES should’ve been introduced on November 10 – just over a month from now – but will be delayed for a third time – much to the delight of British tourists flying out to the holiday island, and elsewhere in Europe.
European airlines have a number of concerns regarding this new system including the system will likely have a major impact for travellers inclined to last-minute bookings.
Industry group, Airlines for Europe, said: “We remain deeply concerned that issues remain unaddressed that will hamper the seamless introduction of the EES.
“Many of these issues were flagged months ago and progress to address them has been slow.”
The EES will be an automated IT system used to register travellers from third-countries which includes Britain.
Both visa exempt travellers and short-stay visa holders will be registered every time they cross a European Union external border.
A person’s name, their type of travel document, the date and place of their entry and exit and their biometric data will be registered under the new system.
This will include their captured facial images and fingerprints with the hopes the new system will improve efficiency and improve the quality of border management while also reducing the threat of document and identity fraud.
EES will apply to all non-EU nationals embarking on a short stay into the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.
Despite the system promising for better efficiency at airports, many Brits fear this could mean even longer queues at Palma airport.
Trade associations sent a letter in May to EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johannson outlining their concerns for EES.
These included a lack of 24/7 support for airlines assisting travelers with the EES, inconsistent national testing, delays to the pre-registration app and a lack of contingency plans if some European airports are not ready.