Working Group for Carriers

For more information regarding the Carrier Interface, Carrier registration process, as well as frequently asked questions regarding EES and ETIAS, please consult the dedicated Carriers page:
Carriers

Working Group for Carriers

The Working Group for Carriers (WG) is an informal coordination body between eu-LISA, the European Commission, Frontex and carrier associations (for carriers operating at air and sea borders, and international carriers transporting groups overland by coach). Its main scope is:

  • to facilitate the preparation of carriers for the implementation of their obligations stemming from the legal framework of the EES and ETIAS Regulations;
  • to ensure that carrier activities are aligned with the activities and planning of the EES and ETIAS Projects.

The WG's main tasks are to:

  • ​Provide awareness to carriers on their obligations  that stem from the applicable legal framework;
  • ​Coordinate carriers in their preparation and post EiO activities with the central systems;
  • ​Provide a platform for discussions on the Carrier implementing Regulation and about the related processes/guidelines for EES/ETIAS;
  • ​Provide a platform to discuss practical matters, difficulties and obstacles, share best practices.
  • ​Obtain visibility on the status of preparation including any relevant operational/technical considerations from carriers;


According to the EES and the ETIAS regulations, carriers will have to query EES and ETIAS and receive answers regarding the status of travellers. With the introduction of the EES, which replaces the manual stamping of passports with an electronic record of entries and exits, carriers will verify if a third-country national travelling to the EU with a short-stay, single or double entry visa has already used the number of entries authorised by their visa. Once ETIAS enters into operation, carriers will have to verify, prior to boarding, that their visa-exempt passengers have a valid travel authorisation.

The WG is composed of:

  • European Commission experts (DG HOME and other relevant DGs);
  • The EES-ETIAS Advisory Group Chairperson;
  • eu-LISA experts;
  • European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) experts;
  • Representatives from carrier associations operating at air, sea and international carriers transporting groups overland by coach;
  • Advisors from Member States.


Past Meetings

5 November 2024

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

1 October 2024

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

3 September 2024

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

08 August 2024

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

27 June 2024

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

29 May 2024

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

25 April 2024

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

21 March 2024

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

27 February 2024

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

25 January 2024

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

05 December 2023

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

24 October 2023

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

18 September 2023

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

5 July 2023

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

15 May 2023

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

4 April 2023

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

1 March 2023

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

2 February 2023

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

9 January 2023

Agenda

Summary

14 December 2022

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

23 November 2022

Agenda:
Air Carriers
Sea and Land Carriers

Summary

27 October 2022

Agenda

Summary

30 September 2022

Agenda

Summary

26 July 2022

Agenda

Summary

29 June 2022

Agenda

Summary

25 May 2022

Agenda

Summary

27 April 2022

Agenda

Summary

30 March 2022

Agenda

Summary

28 February 2022

Agenda

Summary

26 January 2022

Agenda

Summary

12 October 2021

Agenda

Summary

15 July 2021

Agenda

Summary

15 April 2021

Agenda

Summary

05 March 2020

Agenda

Summary

19 December 2019

Agenda

Summary

20 September 2019

Agenda

Summary

4 June 2019

Agenda

Summary