New passports are causing problems for travellers

According to reports from the Luxembourg government, travellers with new biometric passports are temporarily unable to make full use of automated document verification systems at some international airports. The official statement was issued following a series of technical glitches when passengers attempted to pass through the electronic turnstiles.

The main reason for the incompatibility is the use of the modern PACE security protocol in the new Luxembourg passports. At the same time, border control systems in a number of other countries have not yet undergone the necessary software update and are technically unable to recognise this technology. As a result, holders of the new documents may be directed to undergo standard passport checks, which are carried out manually by border control officers.

Despite the logistical difficulties, Luxembourg’s officials emphasise that they are actively cooperating with the relevant authorities in the countries concerned. The main aim of this cooperation is to adapt international border control systems to the new standards as quickly as possible, which will enable the automated passport readers to resume functioning correctly and efficiently in the near future.