The European Commission is rejecting claims that the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) is responsible for major delays observed at some European airports, placing the main responsibility on long-standing infrastructure and staffing weaknesses at the airports themselves and at national authorities.
Responding to questions from journalists, the Commission’s spokesperson for Home Affairs, Markus Lammert, said the EES is operating smoothly at the vast majority of the European Union’s border crossing points.
According to Lammert, the problems recorded at some airports are mainly linked to pre-existing structural shortcomings, such as insufficient staffing, limited infrastructure, available space for installing the new equipment, and the overall capacity of facilities.
According to the Commission, the system is already being applied at around 1,500 crossing points in 29 countries, with almost 110 million entries and exits recorded, a number corresponding to more than two million crossings per week. The spokesperson noted that the EES applies to third-country nationals, not EU citizens.
The Commission also stresses that the system’s gradual rollout began only after all member states had confirmed they were ready to put it into operation. It notes that the relevant legislation has been in force for around a decade, giving national authorities sufficient time to prepare.
At the same time, the Commission is stepping up its support for member states, while Frontex says it is ready to provide additional staff to airports facing increased pressure. Despite the operational difficulties, the Commission maintains that the EES significantly strengthens security, having already helped identify around 1,000 people considered a potential risk who were not allowed to enter the EU.