The European Union has again delayed introducing its widely publicized Entry/Exit System (EES), a biometric fingerprint and facial scan check system for non-EU citizens at all EU borders. It was due to be rolled out on November 10 but has been pushed back yet again after Germany, France, and the Netherlands said their systems were not ready. EU authorities say there was no longer a specific new timetable for EES implementation, but that it would be introduced in phases.
This pre-travel and pre-boarding requirement, originally scheduled to start in 2022, is intended to apply to visa-exempt third-country nationals traveling to European states. EES information will be submitted via an online application ahead of arrival at borders, enabling pre-travel assessment for irregular migration risks, security, or public health risk checks.
However, since October 6, all visitors to the EU who do not need a visa for the trip are required to obtain travel approval through the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This authorization grants a visa waiver for a stay of up to 90 days.
Currently, ETIAS applies to all commercial operators, including charters. Universal Weather & Aviation and other international flight planning services, such as OpsGroup, have been seeking clarification of if and when ETIAS will apply to private operators. In the meantime, Universal recommends that private aircraft operators register with EU-LISA (an EU security agency) in anticipation of possible trips to the EU.