EU Border Delays: easyJet and Ryanair Flights Leaving Passengers Behind

The EU's new Entry-Exit System (EES) has caused chaos at European airports in April 2026, with easyJet and Ryanair flights departing and leaving passengers still stuck in hours-long passport queues. Dozens of British holidaymakers have been stranded, some spending over £1,800 getting home.

If you're flying to or from Europe this summer, here's what you need to know.

What Is the Entry-Exit System (EES)?

The EES is a new EU digital border control system that requires non-EU citizens, including all British passport holders since Brexit, to register biometric data (face scans and fingerprints) when entering and leaving the Schengen Area. It began phasing in from October 2025 and became fully operational on 10 April 2026.

The system replaces the old passport stamp and is designed to track entries and exits, flag overstayers, and enhance security. The European Commission says it has already registered over 56 million border crossings and denied entry to 28,500 people, with 700 identified as security threats.

The problem? It's much slower than a stamp.

What Happened at Milan?

easyJet at Milan Linate

Earlier in April, more than 100 passengers missed their easyJet flight from Milan Linate to Manchester after being trapped in border control queues for up to three hours. Passengers reported people fainting and vomiting in the heat as the biometric checks crawled along.

easyJet said they held the flight for over 50 minutes beyond the scheduled departure, but ultimately had to leave due to crew operating hour limits. The plane departed roughly four-fifths empty.

One passenger, Max Hume, spent over £1,800 getting himself and his family home after easyJet offered just £19 compensation and a replacement flight several days later.

easyJet apologised but said the delays were "outside of our control" and urged border authorities to allow flexibility during the EES rollout.

Ryanair at Milan Bergamo

On 16 April, a Ryanair flight from Milan Bergamo to Manchester also departed leaving around 30 passengers behind. One traveller, Adam Hassanjee, described "complete chaos". He waited 90 minutes in the queue and still didn't make it through in time.

Ryanair's position was blunt: passengers who presented at the boarding gate before it closed would have boarded. Those who didn't, missed the flight.

Other Incidents Across Europe

Tenerife South, 10 April

On the very day EES was supposed to go fully live, about 70 passengers were left behind at Tenerife South when their Ryanair flight to East Midlands departed without them. Peter Walker, travelling with his wife and two-year-old, described the queues as "chaotic" and ended up spending £1,600 on alternative flights home.

Marseille, 20 April

Over 80 travellers were stranded at Marseille-Provence Airport after their Ryanair flight to Marrakech left without them. Reports suggest some passengers became agitated and attempted to push through security, which airport authorities flagged as a security concern.

Will the Airlines Compensate You?

In short: probably not. Both easyJet and Ryanair have stated that border control delays are outside their control. Under EU261 flight delay compensation rules, airlines are not liable for "extraordinary circumstances", and border processing falls squarely into that category.

Travel insurance may cover some rebooking costs, but many standard policies exclude border-related delays. Check your policy wording carefully before you travel.

How to Protect Yourself

Here's practical advice if you're flying back from a European airport this summer:

1. Arrive Much Earlier Than Usual

The old "two hours before departure" rule is no longer enough for flights departing from Schengen airports. Travel experts now recommend at least 3.5 to 4 hours before your flight, especially at busy airports like Milan, Barcelona, and Tenerife.

2. Get Through Passport Control First

Don't browse duty free or sit in the lounge until you've cleared border control. Get to the EES checkpoint as early as possible. Queues tend to build rapidly at peak departure times (late morning and early afternoon).

3. Know Your Rights

If your airline leaves without you, document everything:

• Take photos of the queue and any display boards showing your flight status
• Note the time you joined the queue and when you reached the front
• Keep all receipts for alternative transport, accommodation, and food
• File a written complaint with the airline within 7 days

4. Have a Backup Plan

Know the alternative routes home before you fly. Budget airlines typically only fly point-to-point, so if you miss your Ryanair flight from Bergamo, your options might be limited. Check what other airlines and airports serve your destination.

5. Consider Travel Insurance That Covers Border Delays

Not all policies do. Look for "missed departure" cover that specifically includes delays at passport control, not just delays caused by your transport to the airport.

What Are the Airlines Saying?

easyJet has called the border delays "unacceptable" and urged EU border authorities to use the flexibilities permitted during the EES transition period. They've committed to holding flights where possible within crew operating limits.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has been more combative, accusing the EU of "punishing British holidaymakers over Brexit" through the new system. Ryanair's official position remains that passengers must be at the gate before it closes regardless of the reason for their delay.

The European Commission maintains the system is "working very well" in most member states, though it acknowledges teething problems in some countries.

The Bigger Picture

The EES affects every non-EU citizen flying through Schengen airports, meaning every British traveller on a European holiday. Airport infrastructure simply wasn't designed for the additional processing time, and staffing levels at many border checkpoints haven't kept pace.

Industry groups ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe (A4E) have reported peak-time waiting times of two to three hours at some airports. As summer 2026 approaches and passenger volumes increase, the situation could get worse before it gets better.

If you're flying to Europe this year, plan for delays, arrive early, and don't assume your flight will wait for you. As dozens of passengers have already discovered, it won't.

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Sources

• Another flight leaves passengers behind due to EU border delays (BBC News, April 2026)
• Passengers faint and vomit in Milan airport chaos (BBC News, April 2026)
• Passengers faint and vomit at Milan airport as easyJet border controls cause chaos (Evening Standard, April 2026)
• Ryanair France flight leaves without 80+ passengers (GB News, April 2026)

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Have you been affected by EES border delays? We'd love to hear about your experience, email us.