Several aviation organisations, including ACI EUROPE, Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), have called on the European Commission to allow Member States greater flexibility to suspend the Entry/Exit System where operationally necessary during periods of high passenger volumes. Similar concerns have also been raised by the Port of Dover, where technical difficulties have prompted calls for a temporary suspension of the system.

According to the European Commission, around 20 of the approximately 1,500 external border crossing points using the Entry/Exit System are experiencing operational difficulties. However, the Commission considers that suspending the system, either generally or at individual border crossing points, could affect the calculation of authorised periods of stay for third-country nationals. Since the system became fully operational in April 2026, more than 110 million entries and exits have been recorded and around 44.500 third-country nationals have been refused entry.

The Commission has indicated that it will strengthen its support to the Member States concerned, including through operational assistance and measures aimed at improving implementation. It considers the Entry/Exit System to be an essential component of the management of the EU's external borders and maintains that the current operational challenges should be addressed without suspending its application.

For further information, please consult the press release from the Guardian.