The EU border rules that have caused hours-long queues at some European airports may not “stabilise” for two years – and a new visa waiver could add to the chaos.
On Tuesday, Uku Särekanno, a director at EU border agency Frontex, told a travel industry conference in London that some of the 29 European countries where EES applies were “struggling” to implement the biometric system that has replaced passport stamping at Schengen borders.
Frontex told The i Paper that it would take around two years for most “third-country” passport holders (those from outside the EU or Schengen area) who regularly visit Europe to be registered, after which the processing time would be quicker. The European Commission estimates it takes around 70 seconds for an EES registration, during which facial images and fingerprint scans are taken by a border official.
The 29 countries where EES applies are currently permitted to suspend biometric checks for up to six hours at a time when required, but that reprieve will end in September.
Little public awareness ahead of summer holidays
