Easyjet leaves 100 behind in border check queues
Easyjet leaves 100 behind in border check queues
Approximately 100 travelers found themselves stuck at Milan’s Linate airport after an Easyjet flight to Manchester departed without them. The delay stemmed from prolonged border control checks, with passengers facing waits of up to three hours. A stranded passenger described the chaos, stating that individuals had been vomiting and fainting in the heat, leaving them uncertain about their travel plans.
“We arrived at the airport at 7:30, aiming to board the 11:00 flight, only to find a massive queue. I wasn’t feeling great anyway because I think I’d got food poisoning. At about 10:50, they brought some water over, and when we got to the front, someone asked if we were going to Manchester—then told us our flight had just gone,” said Kiera, 17, from Oldham.
According to Kiera, her and her boyfriend’s journey was delayed by 20 hours, forcing them to take a flight to Gatwick instead of their original destination. The cost of rebooking totaled around £520, and she was offered £12.25 in compensation. “We won’t be able to buy a sandwich at the airport for that, and we’re stuck here until we can fly tomorrow,” she added.
Adam Lomas, 33, an accountant from Wakefield, shared his experience. He traveled with his wife Katy, 31, and their four-month-old daughter. “We’ve been sitting at the airport for hours. A few people called Easyjet, but I tried to reach them and only got chatbots. There were audio issues, and they couldn’t hear me, so they hung up after a while,” he said. The family, relying on the baby’s stroller at the terminal, opted to stay at the airport rather than move, fearing further delays.
Easyjet acknowledged the disruption, attributing it to the new European Entry/Exit System (EESS). The system, introduced in October of the previous year, has caused “unacceptable” delays at border checkpoints. The UK government updated its guidance this week, advising travelers to the Schengen area that they may need to register biometric data like fingerprints and photos upon arrival. It emphasized that no action is required before reaching the border and that registration is free.
The airline stated it had taken measures to assist affected passengers, such as holding flights to provide extra time and offering free transfers for those who missed their departures. “While the delays are beyond our control, we regret the inconvenience caused,” a spokesperson said. Passengers were seen relocating to nearby airports like Pisa to continue their journeys, highlighting the system’s impact on travel logistics.