The European Commission (EC) is expected to delay deadlines for certain operators to register for two new European Union (EU) passenger entry/exit programs, according to the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). September 30 was the starting date for the Entry/Exit System (EES) program and May 31, 2023, was the starting date for the European Travel Information and Authorization System.
The EC is expected to formally announce the new deadline for EES registration this summer, according to NBAA. EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which the EC said is “time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings, and does not allow a systematic detection of travelers who have exceeded the duration of their authorized stay.” The programs will ostensibly enable a single electronic query to help identify security threats, as well as epidemic risks.
Essentially, the programs will apply to travel in 26 EU countries of non-EASA charter carriers and professional-piloted private operations. However, they are not intended to apply to individuals who own and pilot their aircraft into the EU. NBAA and other stakeholders are working with EU officials to obtain clarification of the new requirements on private operations.
NBAA recommends that “operators who meet the descriptions of ‘carriers’ and travel regularly to Europe should still begin the registration process for these programs as soon as possible, despite the postponed deadlines.”