eu-LISA's mission is "continuously supporting Member States effort through technology for a safer Europe." 1
As such, eu-LISA is implementing two new programs - European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit System (EES).
The World Fuel Trip Support team has compiled information on how to navigate these regulatory updates, and is available for consultation. If you have any questions, contact World Fuel Trip Support at [email protected].
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is a "…pre-travel authorization system for visa-exempt travelers." 2
Delayed until 2024, travelers from 60 visa-exempt countries will be required to have a travel authorization to enter European countries for a short stay. The purpose of ETIA is to verify if “…a third-country national meets entry requirements before traveling to the Schengen area.” 2
The second program is the Entry/Exit System (EES), which electronically collects traveler's information, including the time and place of entry and exit of the Schengen area. It will replace the entry and exit border authority stamping of the passport. The purpose of the EES system is "…improving the management of the external borders, and in particular, to verify compliance with the provisions on the authorized period of stay…" 3 in the Schengen area.
This new program is still a fluid situation, and all parties involved are still trying to understand the complete requirements. World Fuel Services is available for consultation regarding the eu-LISA program and happy to assist its customers.
Therefore, Aircraft operators should take the following steps:
Register for eu-LISAs Working Group for Carriers: Registration is required in order to query eu-LISA’s system to secure traveler status who fall within EES and ETIAS.
The SPOC then sends the completed Word document via email to eu-LISA:
The eu-LISA team will then contact the SPOC for further guidance.
The purpose of eu-LISA's ETIAS Visa Waiver program, according to the ETIAS website, is to prescreen visitors who are exempt from a visa requirement to Schengen area countries and identify potential risks and security concerns. 9 The ETIAS website states that all current visa-exempt visitors for Europe will be required to complete the visa waiver application prior to travel, and, once approved, the visitor's waiver is valid for up to three years, allowing multiple visits lasting no longer than 90 days within a 180 day period. 10
Air Carrier Obligations8:
Date of Implementation
The implementation date has been delayed from May 2023. It is now estimated to be rolled out approximately 5 months after the EES program is implemented, so approximately November 2023.
Travelers who fall within the scope of ETIAS 8:
According to the eu-LISA website, the purpose of eu-LISA's Entry / Exit Program (EES) is to electronically capture the entry and exit of visitors who require single or double-entry visas for the prevention of irregular immigration and the management of migration flows. This program will allow the agency to identify any person who no longer fulfills the requirements of an authorized stay as well as reinforce security and fight against terrorism and serious crimes 13.
Air carrier Obligations 8:
Date of Implementation
The implementation date has been delayed from September 2022. It is now estimated to be rolled out in Spring of 2023.
Travelers who fall within the scope of EES 8:
“According to EU regulations 2021/12174 and 2021/12245, carriers will have the legal obligation to query EES and ETIAS to receive answers regarding the status of travelers.” 6
Per Article 2.14 Schengen Borders Code 7, “A ‘Carrier’ is any natural or legal person whose profession it is to provide transport of persons.” 8
“The obligation to query the interface (for which registration is needed) is for carriers as defined in the CISA (Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement). This involves a professional activity, i.e. the carriers is transporting passengers through a fee.”
Private Chartered
“A flight that is chartered by a private individual or organization and is operated by a commercial charter operator. A charter operator operates under Commercial aviation rules CAT and hold an AOC and are filed as N (Non-scheduled air service) on the ICAO Flight plan. For third country operators need a TCO (Third Country Operator) approval from EASA to operate within the EU.”
Private Managed
“The aircraft is owned by a private individual or organization, and are managed by a professional operator but only for the use of the owner. Managed means in this respect that crew, maintenance, handling and all aspects of conducting a flight is done by a management company but the flights are not open for the public and are only conducted on the aircraft owners behalf.”
Private Operated
“The aircraft is owned by a private individual or organization. Crew is hired directly by the aircraft owner and flights are not open for public use/charter. Crew is professional/semi professional and flights are operated under NCC/NCO rules and are filed as G (General Aviation) Using another transport mode this can be compared to a private car with a professional/hired driver.”
Private operated with a crew hired directed do not need to comply with EES and ETIAS obligations.
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