During two months, the e-Gate system of the Chisinau International Airport, which ensured the simplified passing of the border control by holders of biometric passports, hasn’t worked. It was closed because it often broke down. The Border Police made approaches to the strategic partners, asking for support in setting up electronic gates so as to cope with the increased flow of Moldovans travelling on the basis of biometric passports.

Contacted by IPN, the head of the Border Police’s press service Daniela Manzatu said the automated border control system (e-Gate) does not work owing to the de-calibration of the biometric passport reader. It broke down in July 2013, over one year of its installation, after it was forced by a person. The terminal was repaired but it anyway malfunctioned once in 2-3 months and the passport data could not be read.

“All records concerning the work of the system were transmitted to the producer for analyst. Such incidents occur often and the malfunctioning of the e-Gate affects the Border Police’s image and leads to negative reactions on the part of travelers,” stated Daniela Manzatu.

She also said that after the visa regime with the EU was liberalized, the flow of travelers rose by 30-50% and the existing system does not cope. “We know that we need a new system, but we cannot afford it yet. That’s why we submitted proposals to our strategic partners and hope they will help us to set up new electronic gates in the near future,” she stated.

The e-Gate complex was installed by the Border Control Section of the Chisinau airport in April 2012. It is designed to ensure the swift check of biometric passports, without the direct involvement of Border Police inspectors in this process.