The European Commission has rejected claims that the new digital Entry/Exit System, or EES, is to blame for the long delays reported at some European airports, arguing instead that the real problem lies in long-standing weaknesses in airport infrastructure and staffing.
Brussels Points To Structural Weaknesses, Not The New Border System
Responding to questions from journalists, Markus Lammert, the Commission’s spokesman for home affairs, said the EES is operating smoothly across the vast majority of European Union border crossing points.
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According to the Commission, the bottlenecks seen at certain airports are largely tied to pre-existing structural constraints, including insufficient staffing, limited infrastructure, a shortage of space for the new equipment and the overall capacity of the facilities themselves.
Wide Rollout Across Europe
The Commission says the system is already active at roughly 1,500 crossing points across 29 countries, with nearly 110 million entries and exits recorded so far — the equivalent of more than two million crossings per week. Lammert also stressed that the EES applies to third-country nationals, not European Union citizens.
For reference, the Commission has also published information on the system here: European Commission Entry/Exit System.
Years Of Preparation, Yet Uneven Readiness
Brussels said the gradual deployment of the system began only after all member states had confirmed they were ready to launch it. The relevant legislation, the Commission noted, has been in force for around a decade, giving national authorities ample time to prepare.
At the same time, the Commission is increasing its support for member states, while Frontex says it is ready to deploy additional personnel at airports facing elevated pressure. Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency, can be found here: Frontex.
Security Gains Remain The Core Argument
Despite the operational difficulties, the Commission insists the EES delivers a significant security benefit. According to Brussels, the system has already helped identify around 1,000 individuals considered a potential risk, preventing them from entering the European Union.
In the Commission’s view, the debate is not whether digital border control is needed, but whether airports and national authorities have invested enough in the physical and human infrastructure required to support it at scale.
