EES News & Analysis
4 articles
Market Mood
Port of Dover Expects 18,000 Cars This Weekend Amid Border Delays
The Port of Dover anticipates around 18,000 cars to pass through between Friday and Sunday, with Saturday projected as the busiest day. This is the first holiday period since the EU's new Entry Exit System (EES) implementation, which started on April 10. However, some biometric machines necessary for processing are not operational yet, leading to potential delays. Passengers may board the next available ferry if they miss their original sailing due to these delays, and border authorities have the option to suspend EES if severe congestion occurs.
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Portugal (PRT) and Italy (ITA) Maintain Digital Border Checks for Brits
Portugal and Italy have confirmed they will not exempt British nationals from the EU's new biometric border checks, as stated by the European Commission. This decision follows challenges faced by travelers, leading to long queues and missed flights due to the Entry-Exit System (EES) launched last October. The EES requires biometric registration for many short-term visitors from outside the EU, with the full operation expected on April 10. Amidst increased flight cancellations—13,000 globally for May, or 1% of the total—the Commission continues to communicate with member states on the implementation of these checks.
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Ryanair Flight Delays Due to European Entry-Exit System Issues
On April 16, Ryanair passengers traveling from Milan Bergamo to Manchester were delayed due to passport control issues linked to the new Entry-Exit System (EES). Approximately 30 passengers reportedly missed the flight after waiting over an hour at the gate. The EES, which requires biometric data from non-EU citizens, has been operational since October, with over 56 million border crossings recorded and 28,500 people denied entry. While the European Commission claims the system is functioning well in most regions, there have been reports of technical issues affecting implementation in certain countries, as seen in this incident with Ryanair (RYAAY).
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EU's EES Travel System Fully Operational Across 29 Countries
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) will be fully operational on Friday, covering all 29 countries within the Schengen Area. This digital border system requires non-EU citizens to register fingerprints and photos, phasing out the need for passport stamps over six months. Implementation began on October 12, with reports of long queues at various European airports. Although the European Commission may allow the suspension of checks during busy periods to ease congestion, not all airports, such as Milan and Lisbon, will activate the system simultaneously.
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