EU bans temporary suspension of EES biometric checks, risking longer queues for British travelers
From 7 September EU airports must keep the Entry/Exit System active, ending the temporary pause that eased long biometric queues, which could again delay British passengers in Spain.
Starting on 7 September, EU nations, including Spain, must keep the Entry/Exit System (EES) fully operational and cannot invoke the temporary six-hour pause that was permitted during ‘exceptional circumstances.’ The change follows widespread disruption after the system’s April rollout, when passengers endured lengthy face- and fingerprint-scan queues and a reported doubling of missed flight connections. Jurgen Himmelmann, co-founder and CEO of Global Work & Travel, cautioned that the loss of flexibility could force queues to extend into departure areas, especially for British travelers with tight connections.
He advised passengers to allow extra time but noted that arriving hours early does not guarantee a smooth passage through passport control. Airlines are not responsible for delays caused by border checks, so travelers should verify whether their insurance covers such scenarios. European airports are preparing for possible congestion as the deadline approaches.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 19h later
- Coverage peaked at 8 outlets in a single hour
