Europe’s biometric border shift ‘needs careful coordination,’ SITA cautions

October 13, 2025 in Companies, Letters by Editor

Father and mother waiting with young daughter at airport. Tourist family at airport terminal with luggage holiday.

As the European Union begins rolling out its new biometric Entry/Exit System for non-EU travellers, aviation technology firm SITA has cautioned that the transition could strain airport operations and confuse passengers if not carefully managed. The company urges clear communication, coordination, and early preparation to avoid border bottlenecks across Europe

 

The European Union has officially launched the Entry/Exit System (EES) for Third Country Nationals (TCNs), ushering in a new biometric era for travellers entering and leaving the Schengen Area. The landmark regulation, which begins a six-month phased implementation, represents one of the most ambitious overhauls of Europe’s border management in decades — and a defining step in the global shift toward biometric travel authentication.

According to the European Commission, the EES will register non-EU travellers’ fingerprints and facial images upon arrival and departure, automatically recording entry and exit data across the Schengen zone. The system replaces the traditional passport stamping method and is designed to strengthen security, reduce overstays, and streamline border control procedures.

However, as the transition begins, aviation and border management experts are warning that the change will test Europe’s airport operations, infrastructure, and communication readiness.

Andy Smith, Director for Borders at SITA — one of the leading global providers of air transport IT and border systems — describes the rollout as a “once-in-a-generation operational change” for European air borders.

“The introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) marks one of the biggest operational changes at Europe’s air borders in decades,” Smith said. “Border officers now need to collect biometric data, check passports, and register Third Country Nationals (TCNs) directly into a central EU system. For airports, this means managing new passenger flows and making sure these checks don’t cause longer queues or missed connections, especially at peak times.”

Under the new framework, all EU Member States are bound by uniform border management rules, operational guidance from Frontex — the European Border and Coast Guard Agency — and the technical standards defined by eu-LISA, the EU’s agency responsible for large-scale IT systems. Smith noted that while this harmonization ensures secure and consistent data exchange, it also adds layers of operational complexity.

“Every Member State must follow the same EU border management regulations, operational guidance from Frontex, and technical standards set by eu-LISA,” he explains. “This ensures that the right data is captured securely and that national systems can talk to the EU’s central database. It’s a complex transition that requires preparation, coordination, and reliable EES technology to keep things moving smoothly.”

While the system’s long-term goal is seamless automation, its rollout is expected to be uneven. Different European airports will activate the EES at different times during the six-month transition, creating potential inconsistencies for travellers.

“The EU’s phased EES rollout may help reduce pressure in the early days, but it also creates uncertainty,” Smith observes. “Not all European airports will switch on at the same time, and passengers, airlines, and airports need clear information to plan accordingly. Communicating rollout plans early and clearly, and encouraging the use of EES pre-registration apps where available, will be key to minimizing confusion and ensuring smoother journeys.”

SITA, which has developed border management systems in partnership with more than 75 governments globally, is among the technology providers helping European airports implement EES infrastructure. The company’s solution integrates with the EU’s central database, allowing travellers to complete biometric registration efficiently at self-service kiosks and automated eGates.

“This is why it’s crucial to work closely with governments and border agencies to translate these rules and best practices into practical, workable solutions on the ground,” Smith says. “SITA’s EES border management system builds on technology developed through partnerships with more than 75 governments worldwide. It connects securely to the EU’s central platform and allows travelers to register their biometrics quickly at self-service kiosks and eGates. This helps reduce queues for passengers and frees up border officers to focus on the checks that matter most.”

Beyond immediate operational concerns, Smith emphasizes that the EES forms part of a broader global transformation in border security. Biometric identity verification — already in use in parts of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa — is becoming the international standard for managing cross-border movement in an era of rising passenger volumes and complex security threats.

“The EU Entry/Exit System is also part of a broader global shift towards biometric border checks,” he says. “By preparing early, using proven technology, and communicating clearly with the entire travel ecosystem, governments can reduce disruption while enhancing security. Our role is to support them every step of the way.”

The new system is expected to capture data from more than 400 million border crossings annually. Once fully operational, it will enable authorities to identify overstayers automatically and improve intelligence on cross-border movements.

For airports, however, the challenge will be balancing the new requirements with passenger experience — ensuring that the promise of greater security does not come at the cost of longer queues and missed flights.

Industry analysts note that success will depend on how well governments, technology providers, and the aviation sector coordinate the rollout. With European airports already handling near-record passenger volumes in 2025, the coming months will reveal whether the continent’s shift to biometric borders will redefine the future of secure and seamless travel — or expose new cracks in an already strained air transport system.