Major changes are coming for all commercial aircraft operators in Europe. A set of new IT systems and travel authorization rules will bring new requirements for both travellers and operators. This is planned to start in Spring 2023, and it makes sense to begin familiarising yourself with the new rules now.
The changes are coming through the EU agency EU-LISA. Airlines and other operators in Europe will have been dealing with EU-LISA for some time – potentially without realising it. Essentially, EU-LISA controls the IT and processing for Schengen borders and customs.
From mid-2023, EU-LISA will launch new IT systems to support visas and travel authorizations. Travellers will need to apply in advance for a travel authorization, and operators will need to check and verify such authorizations or other visas using new IT systems. More information and support will likely be available closer to the time – but some planning for the changes can be done now.
What is EU-LISA?
EU-LISA is a relatively new agency. It was formed in 2011 (and began services in late 2012). It is headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, and has its main operations centre in Strasbourg, France. In full, it is the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice (shortened to EU-LISA).
The new agency brought together the operation of several IT systems and processes related to EU asylum, border management, and immigration policies. Its remit was expanded in 2018, giving the agency more scope to design and improve systems rather than just manage them.
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EU-LISA took over existing immigration IT systems
Since it was established, EU-LISA has played a key role in managing and developing IT systems and databases used for the security of the European Union. These fall into the area of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA), mostly related to EU / Schengen borders, customs, visas, immigration, and asylum management.
It has firstly taken on responsibility for the management and operation of existing IT systems. The main ones are:
Eurodac – Eurodac is the European Asylum Dactyloscopy Database. It is a centralised system for storing migrant details and fingerprints. EU member states access the system for their own processing and to prevent multiple applications.
Schengen Information System (SIS) II – This system supports internal EU security by exchanging information about people between authorities and countries. This increasingly includes fingerprint and biometric data. It can be accessed by national police and judicial authorities in each EU state, as well as by Schengen border control and customs authorities.
Visa Information System (VIS) – This is another EU-wide system that supports visa and border checks. It contains details of all short-stay visas for the Schengen area (but not currently long stay or residence permit details).
Developing new IT systems in the same area
As part of its expanded remit, EU-LISA has taken on the design and development of new IT systems. There are intended to improve the security, asylum, and immigration landscape in Europe with new systems designed with information sharing in mind. These systems are not yet live, but work is well underway to complete them – with the first expected to start operating in Spring 2023.
The main new systems being introduced are:
Entry/Exit System (EES) – This major new system will record entry and exit to the Schengen area for third country (non-Schengen) citizens. Entry and exit data, passport details, and biometric data will be stored in a central system, available to all member states. This will help facilitate faster border processing and make vital information available to strengthen security and fight crime and terrorism.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) – This is another EU border management system being developed alongside EES. ETIAS supports pre-travel authorization applications and processing. Going forward, all travellers to the Schengen area from a third country will need to apply and pay for authorization before travel. This is similar to systems already used in the USA, Canada, and Australia.
Like EES, ETIAS will help reduce waiting and processing times at borders and strengthen internal EU security. It will link with the existing system, EES, and other organisations, such as Interpol, to process and verify applications.
The European Criminal Records Information System – Third Country Nationals (ECRIS-TCN) – This is a future system being developed by EU-LISA that will allow checks on EU criminal records. Appropriate authorities in any member state will be able to check and access criminal records for non-EU citizens – regardless of the country of their conviction.
New requirements for ETIAS / EES
The new ETIAS and EES systems are not live yet – but operators need to start preparing for them. There have been several delays. It is currently expected (but not officially confirmed) that EES will go live in Spring 2023, and the full ETIAS system around 5 to 6 months later.
For travellers, there will then be a need to pre-apply for a travel authorization through ETIAS. Anyone who is currently visa-exempt for EU travel will be able to apply for such authorization, which will cover multiple visits. It is presently thought that ETIAS and travel authorizations will go live in late 2023.
Airlines and other operators will have new responsibilities as well. It is believed this will apply to all commercial operations (but private, non-commercial flights with no business purpose should be exempt).
From Spring 2023 (this was planned for November 2022 but is thought to be delayed), operators will need to verify electronically if third-country nationals have sufficient entries remaining on the visa. From full go-live later in 2023, operators will need to check and verify ETIAS or other travel documents for entering the EU. They will need to verify this using the new EES system before boarding passengers.
Final Thoughts
Over the years since the EU was formed, more and more services from member states have come together. EU-LISA helps achieve this for travel, immigration, and security. Its new systems will do so even more. Both travellers and aircraft operators will have major new responsibilities, though – bringing the EU in line with several other jurisdictions.
