Overview
- The Entry/Exit System (EES), fully rolled out in April, now requires non‑EU travellers to register fingerprints and a facial image on first entry and exit instead of passport stamping.
- Operational faults at kiosks, repeated re‑enrolments and short staffing have lengthened processing times at about 20 identified hotspots, producing multi‑hour queues and some missed flights.
- Airlines and airport groups have formally asked the European Commission for temporary suspension powers or operational flexibility to avoid peak‑season chaos, with a renewed petition lodged in early July.
- The European Commission says a blanket suspension is neither feasible nor necessary and is urging member states to boost staffing and fix technical issues, while EU‑LISA and others say ETIAS should be postponed until EES stabilises.
- Travel insurers do not specifically cover EES delays, so passengers are advised to allow much more time at affected airports and face possible extra costs for missed flights or rebookings.