“Our understanding from the EC conference is that EES will now not launch on November 10. But we don’t have a new date as yet,” one source said.
The new system requires all non-EU passengers, including British nationals, to go through extra checks such as fingerprint and facial recognition.
The meeting cited lack of preparedness across the EU.
France, Germany and the Netherlands are some of the countries not ready to implement the system effectively.
Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs, announced the delay after the meeting of EU interior ministers.
The system also records entry and exit dates making it harder for non-EU visa holders to overstay.
Travel industry leaders have long warned of long lines at border crossings such as the port of Dover.
Johansson confirmed there is no new timeline for launching the EES yet.
It could potentially be rolled out in phases with watered down requirements to begin with to ensure a smooth flow of travellers at border checkpoints.
Another source also told the media that live testing of the EES software hasn’t even started yet.
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