The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) launch has again been postponed, to allow member states more time to prepare for the adjustments.
The system was to launch on October 6 but has now been delayed until November 10, reports Schengen News. It is believed that the delay was put in place in response to lobbying from French officials, according to Travel Weekly.
Airlines have also expressed concern about the new system, suggesting that they might lose revenue generated by last-minute bookings, and that passengers would be negatively affected by longer wait times at border control.
The original launch date for the EES was in 2021, but this has been continuously pushed back for multiple reasons. The UK Minister for Roads and Local Transport, Guy Opperman, said in May that the system was on track to be “soft launched” in October.
