Wasn't sure where to post this link, it is behind a paywall, but the headline should grab your attention:
https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/eu-entry-exit-system-flags-4000-schengen-overstayers/777268
Key quote:
"Mr Nielsen said the system had already logged around 17 million travellers, 30 million border crossings, and roughly 16,000 entry refusals in its first four months. Of these around a quarter were due to people being flagged up as having overstayed in the Schengen area, he said."
This from the BBC. not about overstayers but apparent long lines at Schengen entry ports. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260313-how-to-prepare-for-europes-new-travel-entry-rules
Anyone heard of an update on Lisbon? I know it's suspended through the end of the month; I'm transiting there late April...
Just ask the airport.
Can someone tell me which airports are implementing this now? I came through Amsterdam from the US on the way to Europe three weeks ago & went from Malaga to CDG to SeaTac going home last week. I’ve only had the typical “scan my passport & take a photo” to go through airports (although Amsterdam was still doing handstamps on my passport - no fingerprints. I will be flying again in a few months through Schiphol and Rome to SeaTac on the way back. Wondering where I will experience the long lines needing fingerprints. (My fingerprints are thin; my TSA application took a lot of pushing down to get them accepted.)
Anyone heard of an update on Lisbon?
Well, to be fair, the problem with Lisbon, is the airport itself, not EES. EES promises to fix some of their ills, the problem is they are too busy to take time to fix the problem. They are just an outdated airport trying to handle ever increasing passenger loads. They are seeing volumes up roughly 50% over 10 years ago. I would expect long lines regardless, have a "plan B", maybe research what you could do with a night in Lisbon.
EES is in use in Iceland. When we arrived recently, it was very quick. I remember a quick fingerprint scan, but after an overnight flight I don't even remember if there was a photo taken. I do remember that it only took maybe 30 seconds more than usual to go through. we still got a passport stamp though, both coming and going.
I had to do EES at FCO several days ago. My fingerprints wouldn’t take despite trying multiple times so I had to go through another line. It still didn’t take long. I think it depends somewhat on how many planes land around the same time.
Jean, a list of airports is difficult at this point. It's not even consistent within an airport.
A recent post showed us that at Paris CDG, for example, some arrival terminals are using EES and some aren't. Even on the same day.
If CDG is uneven in its use of EES with some arrival terminals equipped with it while not others , then I hope to be directed to an unequipped terminal when I land on 27 May . Maybe it depends on the flight's origin.
