Story perspectives

EU ends suspension of biometric Entry-Exit checks

9/7/2026

Left

EU Ends Flexibility

On 6 September 2026 the EU ended flexibility that let states suspend biometric Entry-Exit System checks at borders.
IATA’s Thomas Reynaert warned the failures damage Europe’s reputation and urged the EU to keep flexibility until issues are fixed.
Ryanair Neal McMahon called the rollout a “shambles” and said passengers should not pay for delays.
Council International reported queues of up to five hours at some airports during July’s peak travel period.

Right

EU Reinstates Checks

On 6 September 2026 the EU ended the temporary flexibility that let member states suspend biometric Entry-Exit System checks at borders.
The biometric checks now take about 90 seconds per passenger, versus roughly 25 seconds under the previous manual system.
Non-EU citizens must give fingerprints and a facial scan on every entry and exit.
EU spokesman Markus Lammert said the system has logged 150 million entries and exits since launch.

Blindspot

Airports Council International said wait times for passengers reached up to five hours at several European airports during the July peak travel period.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

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EU Ends Flexibility

On 6 September 2026 the EU ended flexibility that let states suspend biometric Entry-Exit System checks at borders.
IATA’s Thomas Reynaert warned the failures damage Europe’s reputation and urged the EU to keep flexibility until issues are fixed.
Ryanair Neal McMahon called the rollout a “shambles” and said passengers should not pay for delays.
Council International reported queues of up to five hours at some airports during July’s peak travel period.

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