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EU suspends biometric border checks at major airports during summer rush
The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which records fingerprints and facial images of non‑EU travellers, entered full operation on 10 April 2026. Since its rollout, airports across the bloc have reported long queues, with waiting times sometimes reaching several hours. In response, the European Commission invoked an exception that permits temporary suspension of biometric data collection at congested points of entry. Major hubs such as Paris Charles‑de‑Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, Milan Malpensa, Frankfurt and Brussels have switched off the EES checks during peak summer traffic to keep passenger flow moving. Air France‑KLM told Politico, “when queues form during the peak months the system is deactivated to ensure smooth transit.” Border officer Cristian Sternativo warned that full EES procedures could create public‑order problems when passenger numbers surge. Officials stress that security is not compromised because identity data are still entered manually into the system. The suspension is allowed until 6 September 2026 and has been requested by industry bodies including ACI Europe and Airports Council International.
Entities
ACI Europe · Air France‑KLM · Airports Council International · Carsten Spohr · Cristian Sternativo · European Commission · Guillaume Mercier · Lufthansa · Ursula von der Leyen
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Border officer Cristian Sternativo warned that full EES procedures could cause public‑order problems during busy periods. www.cnbce.com · www.baskentgazete.com.tr · www.yenicaggazetesi.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Passenger waiting times at border control have reached up to several hours during peak traffic. www.baskentgazete.com.tr · www.echo24.cz · inews.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Air France‑KLM said the system is deactivated when queues form during peak months. www.cnbce.com · www.baskentgazete.com.tr · www.echo24.cz · www.yenicaggazetesi.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) requires third‑country nationals to provide fingerprints and facial photographs at border controls. www.cnbce.com · www.baskentgazete.com.tr · www.echo24.cz · inews.co.uk
- [● 8 SOURCES] During the summer peak, biometric checks under EES have been temporarily suspended at airports such as Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Frankfurt and Brussels. www.cnbce.com · www.baskentgazete.com.tr · www.echo24.cz · varesepress.info · www.lagenziadiviaggimag.it · +3 more
- [DISPUTED] EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026. www.cnbce.com · www.baskentgazete.com.tr · www.echo24.cz · inews.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Officials say the temporary suspension does not compromise border security because identity data are still entered manually. www.cnbce.com · www.baskentgazete.com.tr · www.echo24.cz · spotmedia.ro
- [DISPUTED] The European Commission allowed the temporary suspension of biometric checks until 6 September 2026. www.cnbce.com · www.baskentgazete.com.tr · www.echo24.cz · spotmedia.ro