Just can't see how this will work long term. The data integrity is going to be absolutely shot to pieces if every summer/winter peak travel season it's suspended. In some ways wrong data is worse than no data for this kind of thing - you're going to have millions of 'overstays' flagged when it is suspended at peak times? No doubt people who want to overstay will eventually figure out that you can just have a free for all by travelling at certain times where EES is likely to be suspended.
No, this isn't correct. This is a classic misunderstanding of how EES works in practice: what they're talking about is suspending the registration process, but the virtual stamp will still be applied. So, they will still track overstays, just that they won't collect biometric data if the queues are too long. This is all within the Schengen Borders Code, as they can apply the so-called 'minimum check' if the situation warrants it.
To be honest I don't really understand what EES is actually trying to achieve with this registration that won't be handled by ETIAS? The lack of joined up thinking is pretty astounding to be honest.
The two are separate. ETIAS is a pre-approval for travel, the EES deals with actually collecting the biometrics.
Why did they come up with this idea of requiring another kisok/'pre registration', when ETIAS is going to ask the same questions I assume? It seems thats where it totally falls down. It could have actually been super efficient if it wasn't for that.
The system is left to the Member States to decide how to implement things. Each state can do it how they wish: at the booths (like in Poland), at kiosks, or even with staff using tablets. The only obligation is to collect biometric data, but how it's collected is entirely up to the country in question.
How will Rovaniemi Airport, Finland cope with EES?
Quite well, I suspect. I very much doubt that most people travelling there will need to register on the EES for the first time, as it's a destination for the relatively wealthy who are likely to have already registered on previous travels.
My daughter and I are Irish citizens, so we had a short wait for my wife and mother-in-law to complete the process. Incidentally, they were asked fewer questions than the passengers in the other car being processed - I don’t know if this was chance, or down to the nationality of their travel companions.
As they were family members of EU citizens, they have de facto freedom of movement when accompanied by you/your daughter, so that's why fewer questions would have been asked.
I used Madrid airport to enter Spain a couple of days ago and was directed to use a registration machine despite already having registered elsewhere. From there I was then directed to an e-gate followed by a passport stamp. The whole process does not seem well thought out at all.
I think the issue emerging is that there's a lot of confusion over who actually needs to use these kiosks and when. Some countries seem to be using them to replace border controls, other countries are using them solely for registration, and it seems that communication is really lacking in this respect. From what I know, Spain is using them for border control purposes, so all non-EU citizens are being directed to use them.
