Travel Chaos Hits EasyJet Passengers In Milan Due To New Border Rules
Hundreds of British holidaymakers faced an unexpected nightmare at Milan Linate airport when new European border checks caused massive delays and left more than a hundred people stranded. An easyJet flight bound for Manchester departed with only around 34 passengers on board while 122 others remained stuck in long queues at passport control. The situation unfolded on Sunday April 12 just days after the European Entry and Exit System known as EES became fully operational across the Schengen area. Temperatures inside the terminal rose and added to the discomfort as frustrated travelers waited for hours in sweltering conditions.
The new system requires UK passport holders entering or leaving the EU to register their fingerprints and facial scans replacing the old manual stamp method. This extra processing time led to queues stretching for up to three hours at Linate airport. Many passengers had arrived early for their morning flight yet found themselves unable to reach the gate in time. EasyJet held the aircraft for nearly an hour to allow more people through but the crew eventually reached their maximum permitted duty hours forcing the plane to take off without the majority of its booked customers.
One young traveler named Kiera from Oldham described the ordeal to reporters. She and her boyfriend reached border control well ahead of their eleven o’clock departure but the line barely moved. Feeling unwell from possible food poisoning she waited as staff eventually brought water to those struggling in the heat. When they finally neared the front someone informed them their Manchester flight had already left with only about thirty passengers on board. Kiera and her partner then faced a twenty hour wait for a replacement flight to London Gatwick leaving them exhausted and uncertain about their journey home.
Families also suffered during the chaos. Adam Lomas was traveling with his wife Katy and their four month old daughter when they spent hours trapped at the airport. Some stranded passengers reportedly considered driving to Pisa for alternative flights while others argued with airline and airport staff over responsibility for the delays. Reports emerged of people vomiting and nearly passing out in the crowded terminal as the heat and frustration took their toll. EasyJet later explained that the lengthy waits at border control were outside their control and they had urged authorities to use available flexibilities during the rollout.
A spokesperson for the airline expressed regret for the inconvenience and confirmed that affected customers received offers of free flight transfers to get them home. The incident highlights the teething problems many predicted with the introduction of EES which now applies to all twenty nine Schengen countries including popular destinations such as Italy Spain France and Greece. Travelers are advised to build in plenty of extra time at borders especially during busy periods while the system settles in. Officials continue to monitor the situation and encourage full use of permitted measures to ease congestion.
The events at Milan Linate serve as a reminder of how travel rules can shift quickly and impact even well planned trips. With summer holidays approaching many British families will be watching closely to see if similar issues arise at other European airports. What are your thoughts on the new EES border system and how it affected these easyJet passengers. Share them in the comments.
