The European entry-exit system (EES) is causing queues and disruptions at several European airports, but France maintains fluid borders thanks to temporary relaxations of biometric controls.
In force since 10 April, the EES imposes biometric registration (photograph and fingerprints) on third-country nationals entering the Schengen area, replacing the manual stamping of passports. France applies derogations that allow the temporary suspension of part of these operations to preserve the fluidity at the borders.
In other countries the impact is much greater: Rome has seen processing times double, Greece has installed heat tents during long waits, Amsterdam reports two-hour queues and Lisbon has even suspended the EES after seven-hour waits.
The French derogations expire on September 6, the date from which 100% of eligible passengers will be checked according to European regulations. Paris has already asked the European Commission to maintain some flexibility: the real test of French airports comes on the return to work.
