EU admits new digital Entry/Exit System is experiencing “technical problems"

For a while now airlines having been blaming the EU's Entry/Exit System for airport disruption,long queues and missed connecting flights.

The EU has now finally admitted its new digital Entry/Exit System, which requires travelers from non-EU countries to register their biometric data, is experiencing “technical problems.”

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said the EU was working with the member states to solve the technical issues.

EU member states have been expressing concern over the EES since its gradual rollout last year, but the problems have worsened during the summer travel season.

The aviation industry claims delays at border controls have been reaching up to five hours.

It has urged the Commission to give countries greater flexibility “to completely suspend EES” where necessary, “at least throughout July and August.”

Several airports and ports have temporarily suspended biometric data collection during peak travel periods to ease congestion.

The Commission had defended the system by pointing to its security benefits. Between its original launch in October last year and April-over 700 persons were identified as posing a security risk to Europe.  This number is believed to have risen to over 1,000.