Lithuanian Airports, which manages Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga airports, has announced that its preparations for a modern border screening system are complete.
This upgrade responds to EU regulation that requires Schengen Area countries with an external border to third countries to make it possible for foreigners to register in a new Entry-Exit System.
Once the new Entry-Exit System is launched later this year, citizens from third countries (any country other than EU member states and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) entering the European Union for the first time will have to complete an additional registration procedure before crossing the border.
This upcoming change requires airports to implement new infrastructure and space at border crossing points.
Many EU airports are currently in the process of implementing automated screening systems and preparing for this Entry-Exit System procedure, with Lithuanian airports being among the first in Europe to have made the required changes.
Vidas Kšanas, Director of Safety and Security Department of Lithuanian Airports said:We have already carried out contractual works on the adaptation of the spaces in all Lithuanian airports, which will be much more convenient for passengers to pass border checks and will also include self-service terminals and information screens. We have also carefully planned not only the new areas where additional checks will be carried out, but also modelled the processes for passenger flow management and passenger convenience.
Once the screening starts, third-country citizens will not only receive detailed information on the procedures to be followed but will also have the opportunity to perform most of the services completely independently in the self-service terminals.
In total, around 3 million EUR was invested to adapt the border control space at Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga airports.
Lithuanian Airports co-ordinated the implementation of the new Entry – Exit System inspection procedure with the State Border Guard Service (SBGS), who will manage the system.
