The European Union’s flexibility provisions for its Entry-Exit System concluded on 6 September, raising concerns about potential increases in border delays at EU entry points. Airlines and travel industry representatives had requested that the European Commission extend discretionary powers to temporarily suspend the system’s biometric controls through the end of the year, but Brussels did not grant an extension of the flexibility period.
During the peak travel season earlier in the year, some European airports experienced significant queuing at border checkpoints, with passengers in certain cases missing flights. Industry observers attributed the avoidance of similar disruptions in more recent months largely to the relaxed enforcement of requirements for biometric data collection, particularly fingerprinting of travelers from outside the EU.
Despite the official expiration of flexibility measures, multiple indicators suggest implementation will remain inconsistent across member states. Technical difficulties with Entry-Exit System infrastructure in France mean that passengers traveling through Dover, Eurotunnel, and Eurostar will not immediately encounter changes, as fingerprinting kiosks at these crossing points remain non-operational pending formal authorization from French authorities. Border officials in several major tourist destinations, including Greece, have reportedly adopted informal approaches to avoid queues by exempting certain passengers from biometric procedures.
Industry representatives including Abta, the UK travel trade association, and Iata, the international airlines group, have continued advocating for official extension of discretionary suspension powers. They cite documented instances of passengers missing flights and connections due to Entry-Exit System-related delays and warn that inconsistent implementation undermines confidence in border procedures across Europe.
The European Commission stated it remains in contact with member states requiring operational adjustments at specific border crossing points and indicated readiness to provide additional assistance to these locations during a continued adjustment period.
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