The automation of foreign passenger checks in many European airports is not happening right away. However, in Zurich, everything is ready for the commissioning of this system, called Entry/Exit System (EES), which was to be implemented from November 10. Several machines, which cost around 8.5 million francs, are already installed in the airport bays. But other European countries are lagging behind. A delay which has repercussions on all the countries concerned.
As a reminder, the EES is a system which electronically records the entries and exits of third-country nationals who travel to the Schengen area for a short stay. By integrating biometric data, namely face and fingerprints, the EES is supposed to calculate the authorized duration of stays and benefit the fight against illegal immigration. This technology should therefore replace the manual affixing of stamps to passports.
First planned for 2022, then postponed numerous times, the simultaneous implementation of the system in many airports therefore suffered a new setback due to announced delays, particularly in the Netherlands, France and Germany. The reason for these delays, however, is not known. The large machines installed in Zurich will therefore have to wait under their tarpaulins for some time.
Note that, according to the spokesperson for Zurich airport, with this umpteenth postponement, the project leaders are now considering a gradual implementation of the system. However, no date has been publicly announced.
