Written question – Frontex aircraft in third countries for the first time – E-002099/2025

Question for written answer  E-002099/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Özlem Demirel (The Left)

Frontex launched its first surveillance flights to take off from outside the EU from Tirana International Airport in Albania. The aircraft patrolled both Albanian and Montenegrin border areas, and images were beamed in real time to both the national authorities of the two countries and the Frontex headquarters in Warsaw. The border agency described this as a ‘new chapter’ enabling the early detection of irregular migration, more effective prevention of crime, and improved coordination of search and rescue operations.

• 1.When did the operations begin, and how many flight hours are they expected to account for each year?
• 2.Under which category do these flights fall (e.g. Frontex aerial surveillance service (FASS), multipurpose aerial service (MAS), joint operations), and which national authorities are involved?
• 3.With what other third countries are negotiations under way for this kind of external operation, and what other operations are already in the pipeline?

Submitted: 26.5.2025