The holiday delay warnings surrounding the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) stem from a combination of significant procedural changes, technological rollout complexities, and the anticipated high volume of travelers, especially during peak periods.
Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons:
1. **New Biometric Data Collection:**
* **First-time registration:** For their first entry into the Schengen Area under EES, UK passengers (and other non-EU citizens) will need to provide biometric data: a facial scan and four fingerprints. This process is significantly more time-consuming than simply showing a passport and getting a stamp.
* **Verification:** While subsequent entries will be faster as your biometrics are already on file, the initial capture is the bottleneck. It requires using self-service kiosks (where available) or being processed directly by a border guard.
2. **Technological Rollout and Infrastructure:**
* **New Systems:** EES is a massive new IT system that needs to be implemented across numerous border crossing points (airports, seaports, train stations, land borders) in 29 countries.
* **Kiosk Availability:** There are concerns about whether there will be enough self-service kiosks at all entry points, and if existing infrastructure can accommodate dedicated EES lanes or processing areas without creating choke points.
* **Integration:** The new system needs to integrate seamlessly with existing border control processes and potentially other future systems (like ETIAS).
3. **Staff Training and Adaptation:**
* Border guards need to be fully trained and proficient in operating the new system and troubleshooting any issues. There will inevitably be a learning curve for staff, which can slow down processing times initially.
4. **Lack of Public Awareness and Preparation:**
* Many travelers may arrive at the border unaware of the new biometric requirements or how the system works. This lack of preparation (e.g., not having necessary documents readily available, not understanding the kiosk instructions) will lead to confusion and delays as people learn the process on the spot.
5. **High Travel Volumes During Holidays:**
* Any minor delay or inefficiency in a new system is amplified exponentially during peak holiday periods when thousands of passengers are trying to cross the border simultaneously. Even if the process for each individual only takes an extra minute or two, this can accumulate into hours of queueing when aggregated across hundreds or thousands of people.
6. **Potential for Technical Glitches:**
* As with any large-scale IT deployment, there’s always a risk of technical issues, software bugs, or hardware malfunctions during the initial rollout, which could bring processing to a halt.
In essence, the combination of a more complex, first-time biometric registration process, the logistical challenge of implementing new technology across a vast network, and the sheer volume of travelers during holiday seasons creates a perfect storm for potential delays. Travelers are advised to be prepared, arrive earlier than usual, and expect potential queues, especially during the initial months of the system’s operation.
