The European Union is reportedly considering further suspending post-Brexit border checks after a summer of extensive queues and delays. The entry/exit system (EES) has been marred by controversy since its official start in April, with several countries pausing the checks after they triggered snaking queues at airports and land and sea borders.
EES checks and their impact
Rather than relying on passport stamps, visitors from outside the Schengen Area must provide fingerprints and facial images so their stay can be automatically logged to help flag overstayers. However, the system has caused significant disruption, leading to reports of travellers missing flights and airlines encouraging passengers to arrive early.
Industry sources told The Times that Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the commissioner responsible for EES negotiations with non-EU countries, privately suggested the mandatory rollout will be suspended once again.
Extension of the waiver
Mr Tzitzikostas was understood to be pushing for a derogation to be extended past September 6. Under pressure from the travel industry, the Commission previously granted a waiver for the peak summer season, which allows checks to be temporarily suspended in case of "exceptional circumstances".
According to the outlet, he assured the UK that a further extension was possible after meeting with transport secretary Heidi Alexander. Last month, the department said Ms Alexander raised concerns about the digital border checks during a meeting with the commissioner on July 14.
Reassurances and industry reactions
A statement at the time said: "We want everyone to have the summer holidays they deserve – and yesterday’s meeting shows everyone is pulling in the same direction. I was reassured that the EU commissioner for transport understood the concerns of holidaymakers and recognised the need for us to work together."
Several operators have already used the derogation during busy periods. Air France-KLM said when lines form during the busy summer months, "the system is shut off to ensure smooth transit at our hubs in Paris and Amsterdam," speaking to POLITICO.
