Travel industry leaders have called for a “structured and controlled” introduction of the EU’s new entry and exit scheme as the start date was delayed again.

The European Union has confirmed that new border check procedures will not be introduced on November 10 2024 as planned.

But it has failed to give a date for the launch of the scheme, which will require non-EU citizens – including UK citizens – to register biometric data when passing through passport control.

The Business Travel Association (BTA) welcomed the decision to delay the launch but said it was “frustrating to watch a project that promises to modernise systems and address issues stalling due to technical challenges and bureaucratic red tape”.

“It is imperative that business travellers can move as frictionlessly as possible. Yet this setback adds unnecessary complications and uncertainty for business travellers who depend on efficient border management,” said CEO Clive Wratten.

“We support the implementation of EES but only when the EU is fully prepared. We hope the EU carefully introduce EES in a structured and controlled manner to minimise delays and mitigate the knock-on impact for business travellers.”

Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs at ABTA – The Travel Association also expressed relief that the date has been delayed, but added: “We do still need urgent confirmation and clarification on the next steps of EES; it’s difficult to talk to a customer about a new system without knowing if it will actually be in place for their trip.

“It is also really important the rollout, in whatever form it takes, avoids peak travel periods.”

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said the delay will give the industry “a huge sigh of relief” as there was significant concern that the lack of preparedness would caused delay and setbacks at European borders.

“Right now, there is very limited public awareness of what this means for anyone expecting to travel to Europe from outside the EU and as we get closer to launch date and key travel periods clear and transparent communication will be vital,”  she added.

As well as confirming that the introduction has been delayed, the latest announcement from the EU hints that the requirements are being scaled back.

Initially the EU said passengers would have to provide both fingerprint and facial biometric data but the wording has now changed to suggest that they are alternatives, rather than both being mandatory.

The EES scheme was a key talking point at the ABTA Convention in Greece last week, with ABTA and the BTA expressing concerns about the lack of awareness, clarity and readiness.