The authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, in preparation for the operation of the European Entry-Exit System and the replacement of all passport control equipment, have placed an order for 40 state-of-the-art ABC Gates which are expected to be received at the end of this year and put into operation in the passenger lounges of the two airports, as soon as possible, the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, answers a parliamentary question.
The question was specifically submitted by DISY Member of Parliament Giorgos Pamporidis in relation to the effectiveness of the control system currently in force at the two airports and the fact that passengers, after using the automated system, are also referred for control by a Police Officer.
In his answer, dated August 11, the Minister explains that with the accession of Cyprus to the Schengen area and the lifting of internal border controls, the operation of the so-called Interactive Kiosks (KPIs) will stop. He explains that their choice was made on the basis of a comparison of the technological solutions that existed at the time and mainly due to their speed and much smaller volume, and therefore the limitations in passenger compartment spaces, they were preferred over Automated Border Control (ABC) Gates. "There is no connection with the fact that Cyprus is not yet fully implementing the Schengen acquis," he explains.
He adds that DAs are self-service systems used to collect and process passenger data, such as passport reading, taking a photo and various additional checks. However, "after the completion of the procedure at the D.P., the intervention of a Passport Control Officer is still required to verify the identity of the traveller, check the travel document and make the final decision on entry or exit. In contrast, ABC Gates are fully automated border control systems, which also use biometric technologies," he explains.
At the same time, it notes that their utilization is considered particularly effective in cases of reduced staffing, as it contributes to the improvement of passenger service and to the more effective management of available human resources.
The Minister states that in the year 2025, in the context of passport checks carried out through the D.P., 65.60% concerned the PG (Passenger Granted) referral code, which corresponds to a non-positive indication.
In addition, 13.00% concerned the referral code Ml (Minor), which is important information for Passport Control Officers and helps to save time, in order to confirm that the minor is traveling accompanied by his/her parents or guardians for the purpose of preventing parental abductions and other related serious offenses.
The remaining 21.40% concerned cases that required further screening due to positive indications, in the context of automated checks in national and European databases, security checks, as well as additional checks in accordance with the established procedures applied by the Passport Control Officers before the final decision is taken.
To another question by the DISY MP, the Minister replied that the staff of the Standing Corps (MoU) of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) serving at the airports has been seconded at the request of the Republic on the basis of Regulation EU2019/1896 and serves under the Administration of the Aliens and Immigration Service of the Cyprus Police.
He explains that the border guards of the MoU carry out checks at the post designated by the duty officer, as do the rest of the staff of the UNHCR, including the control of the printed receipts issued by the DP. He adds at the same time that the Members of the MoU Frontex, based on the Regulation, have executive powers, however upon their secondment they are placed under the orders of the national authorities. Specifically, they perform the duties of an immigration officer, in passport control, verification of the authenticity of travel documents and in the conduct of secondary checks under the instructions of the Officer on duty of the Passport Control Center, who has the final responsibility for border control.
In another question, he explains that the possibility of implementing an electronic scanning system for the receipts issued by the Interactive Kiosks has been explored, with the integration of a QR code (QR code) in them, through electronic gates (e-Gates) after the Interactive Kiosks, which, however, was not approved as it would slow down the total time of processing the passport control.
"With the imminent installation of the Automated Passport Control Gates (ABC Gates), the use of the Emergency Services, as well as the categories of travellers who will be served through them, will be reviewed by the competent Ministries involved, in order to determine the optimal framework for their use, until the abolition of internal border controls when they will be withdrawn," he says.
