EasyJet passengers describe EU border ‘nightmare’
EasyJet passengers describe EU border ‘nightmare’
Travelers stranded at Milan’s Linate airport after an EasyJet flight departed without them recounted a chaotic experience linked to the EU’s newly implemented Entry-Exit System (EES). Over 100 passengers missed their scheduled journey to Manchester, trapped in delays that airline representatives called “unacceptable.” The system, which mandates biometric checks for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen zone, created bottlenecks at departure gates, leaving many in a state of distress.
Biometric checks cause widespread disruption
The EES requires travelers to undergo facial recognition and fingerprint scans upon entry, with additional verification during exit. This process, launched last Friday, led to queues stretching for hours. Some individuals reported feeling overwhelmed, with reports of nausea and fainting during the checks. A spokesperson for EasyJet warned passengers to account for longer waiting times at passport control, but many felt unprepared for the scale of the delay.
“It was just horrible,” said Carol Boon, a 59-year-old from Staffordshire, describing the ordeal of waiting for her flight to Gatwick. “People were arguing, someone fainted, someone was sick.” She had planned a long weekend getaway in Milan but found herself spending extra time arranging a new trip after the initial one was lost.
“We were forced to spend over £1,800 to get home,” added Max Hume, 56, from Leeds. “EasyJet offered us £19 and a flight on Thursday, but that would have cost us £300.” His group, like others, faced a grueling wait that left them scrambling to secure alternative travel options.
Logistical challenges and financial strain
Adam Hoijard, from Wirral, shared his experience of arriving three hours early, only to endure hours in line before panic set in. “How much time can you leave to wait in a queue and be told to wait?” he questioned. His family spent £1,000 to book a last-minute flight to London Gatwick, while his five-year-old son cried after the ordeal. Joy Oliver, who was on holiday with her husband, described the scene as “absolute carnage” and had to rebook a flight to Edinburgh, complicating her return home.
Industry calls for greater flexibility
Organizations representing European airports and airlines, such as ACI Europe and A4E, highlighted the system’s impact, citing peak-hour delays of two to three hours. They emphasized that the EES had disrupted schedules, with some flights departing before passengers could complete checks. Initially, border authorities could halt the system entirely if delays became excessive, but this option is now limited. Industry leaders argue that more adaptability is needed to prevent similar issues during the summer travel peak.
EasyJet apologized, stating the problems were “outside of our control” and urging border agencies to utilize their available flexibilities. However, passengers like Carol Boon criticized the lack of clear communication, noting they were not informed of the gate number until just 90 minutes before departure. “They left us to fend for ourselves,” she said, describing the airline’s response as “disgusting.” These accounts underscore the challenges faced by travelers as the EES transitions from a pilot phase to full operation.
