EasyJet passengers describe EU border ‘nightmare’
EasyJet Passengers Describe EU Border ‘Nightmare’
Travelers stranded after an EasyJet flight departed without them reported severe delays at EU border checkpoints, blaming the new European Entry-Exit System (EES) for a chaotic experience. Over 100 passengers missed their scheduled trip to Manchester from Milan’s Linate airport on Sunday, enduring “unacceptable” queues that left some overwhelmed. The airline’s operations were disrupted as biometric and facial recognition checks caused bottlenecks, with some individuals experiencing physical distress.
Passenger Accounts of Disruption
Carol Boon, a 59-year-old from Staffordshire, described the ordeal as “just horrible,” recounting how her group of six faced “very stressful” conditions, including arguments and medical emergencies. One person fainted, and another vomited, all while waiting for their flight to Gatwick. “Even if we were there five hours before, we weren’t told the gate number until about 90 mins before,” Boon said, adding that EasyJet representatives left them “to fend for themselves” after the flight departed.
“It was just disgusting the way they spoke to us,” Boon remarked.
Max Hume, a 56-year-old from Leeds, shared his frustration over the delays. He spent over £1,800 to reroute his journey through Luxembourg, aiming to return to the UK swiftly. “EasyJet offered us £19 and a flight on Thursday,” Hume said, “but we would have had to pay £300.” The airline apologized, stating the issues were “outside of our control” and that they had arranged “free flight transfers” for affected passengers.
Meanwhile, Joy Oliver, traveling with her husband and friends, described the border chaos as “absolute carnage.” She had arrived three hours early at Milan Linate, but the delays forced her to rebook a flight to Edinburgh. Her family now faces the task of collecting cars from Manchester Airport while she searches for a way back to Lancaster.
System Impact and Flexibility Concerns
The EES, implemented on Friday, requires third-country nationals—including Britons—to register biometric data, such as facial scans and fingerprints, when entering the Schengen area. Departure checks are conducted upon exit. ACI Europe and A4E, representing airports and airlines, noted that waiting times during peak hours reached two to three hours, leading to missed flights and financial strain for some.
Adam Hoijard, from Wirral, described the situation as “atrocious,” citing the pressure to arrive early. “How much time can you leave to wait in a queue and be told to wait?” he asked, reflecting on his family’s ordeal. Hoijard’s five-year-old son was “lying in bed crying” after the stressful experience, which followed a trip for his mother-in-law’s 60th birthday celebration.
“It was atrocious to be blamed for not turning up early enough,” Hoijard said.
Laura Featonby, owner of Laura’s Travel Village in Sale, Greater Manchester, highlighted how airlines had delayed departures to accommodate the challenges of the EES. She emphasized the need for greater flexibility ahead of summer travel, as current procedures risked prolonged delays for passengers.
