The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), launched with a phased rollout in October 2025, will fundamentally transform how non-EU travellers move across borders in the 29-country Schengen Area. One key requirement is the capture of biometric data – facial images and fingerprints – along with passport details and travel history. While all Schengen border points must have EES fully deployed by April 2026, the phased rollout has highlighted both the promise and operational challenges of large-scale biometric implementation. Yes, EU residents and visitors can say goodbye to smudgy passport stamps and hello to a fully digital travel experience, but this also underscores the critical element of accuracy, resilience and scalability in these systems. This wake-up call has upended staid passenger processing systems that include manual identity checks and document-based verification. The implementation of these new systems provides real-world data on their effectiveness, and the early signs are beyond encouraging. Biometric verification can reduce airport processing times by 30% to over 80% compared to manual checks, depending on implementation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports that biometric Global Entry kiosks cut processing time from 45 seconds to under six seconds per traveller. EES is more than a compliance mandate – it’s a strategic shift toward smarter, more secure borders. For airports, it’s an opportunity to modernise operations, improve passenger flow and align with the EU’s broader digital transformation goals. By 2026, more than half of airports expect to use biometrics at check‑in and bag drop, and around 70% of airlines plan to have biometric identity management systems in place, reflecting both the appeal of dependable AI‑enabled processes and the growing risks of clinging to legacy workflows. Passengers have also expressed an overwhelming preference for biometric experiences. Roughly three-quarters of travellers worldwide say they would share their biometric information if it