The European Union has again delayed the introduction of biometric border checks for non-EU citizens.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) had been due to begin on November 10 but the start has been put on hold because Germany, France and the Netherlands said their systems were not ready.
The BBC reported that EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson said there was no new timetable for its implementation but it would be phased in.
The system was originally meant to be introduced in 2022 but has faced several delays.
When implemented, the EES will require non-EU citizens arriving in the Schengen free-travel area to register their fingerprints, provide a facial scan and answer questions about their stay – instead of having a manual stamp in their passport.
Christina Brazier, Aito head of industry affairs, said the association welcomed the decision to delay EES “in light of the many unresolved questions and concerns” raised by member states.
“Our members are committed to providing exceptional holidays and the potential for long delays and confusion at borders was a significant concern, particularly for vulnerable travellers,” she said.
“This announcement gives member states valuable time in which to prepare and for the EU to clarify key outstanding issues.
“We fully support the proposal of a phased rollout, as it will allow the system to be thoroughly tested before full implementation.”
The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council will meet next week to discuss the introduction of the EES.
A spokesperson for the German interior ministry told the Reuters news agency that the three countries were not ready for EES because the EU agency in charge of it, EU-Lisa, had not yet made it stable enough.
The French interior ministry told Reuters that EES must be prepared properly.
Picture by NFstock/Shutterstock
More: Speculation mounts over further EU entry/exit system delay