Lithuanian airports were among the first in the European Union to complete all necessary preparations for the new EU entry/exit system, although the exact date of entry into force of the latter remains unknown.
Talking about the work done so far on the implementation of EES at Lithuanian airports, Vidas Kšanas, Director of Lithuanian Airports Safety and Security Department, said that it would be more convenient for passengers to pass through border control, as self-service terminals and information screens have been installed at each airport.
He also noted that the Lithuanian authorities have carefully planned new areas where additional checks will be carried out, as well as simulated passenger flow management processes and passenger comfort.
“From the start of the check, third-country nationals will not only receive detailed information on the procedures to follow, but will also be able to perform most services independently at self-service terminals,” Kšanas said.
The Entry/Exit System is a new traveler security system created by the European Union with the aim of keeping track of who is entering and leaving member states. The system will register everyone entering and leaving the EU using a new infrastructure to be put in place by Member States at their external borders, including airports and land borders.
The system will collect and verify biometric and personal data, including fingerprints and facial images, of third-country travelers entering the EU for the first time since the start of the system’s implementation.
The system was due to go live in May 2023, but the agency responsible for managing it warned that rollout of the system would be delayed until the end of the year due to the unavailability of some third parties.
