Europe's New Entry/Exit System Is a Mess, and It's Not Going Away

Europe’s new Entry/Exit System, or E.E.S., has become a flashpoint as leaders refuse to pause the program despite complaints from the aviation industry over long lines and missed flights this summer. The 29-country Schengen area requires collecting biometrics such as face photos and fingerprints on arrival and confirming identity upon exit. Since the system’s full rollout in April, airports and airlines have reported widespread confusion, with security checkpoints generating delays lasting hours and inconsistent procedures that can range from minutes to several hours. Senior aviation officials asked the European Union to suspend biometric collection during summer travel, arguing it is harming Europe’s reputation, tourism, and connectivity. On Tuesday, however, European Commission leaders rejected the request, saying the security benefits outweigh the disruptions. The European Commission said the system already recorded 110 million trips and refused 45,000 visitors, and it applies across the Schengen zone including 25 EU members plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Under current rules, airports may partially suspend biometrics for up to six hours but still must register traveler information.