David Newton and his family arrived three hours before their flight but ended up stranded for a total of 11 hours in departures. They spent over five hours waiting in queues for EES checks, which require passengers to provide fingerprints and a facial photo.

Since its full launch on April 10, 2026, the EES has faced criticism for its efficiency. David described the chaos as ‘mayhem,’ with thousands of passengers queuing at border control. Only about a third of the 15 booths were manned during peak times, exacerbating the delays.

Technical issues have also plagued EES kiosks at major hubs in France—currently, around 25 kiosks are not operational. This has led several European countries to temporarily suspend biometric checks due to long queues.

A notable example occurred when Greece halted biometrics for British nationals amid rising wait times. ACI Europe warned that travelers could face delays of up to three hours during busy periods.

The manual processing of passengers takes approximately five minutes per person, significantly slowing down border processing times. David recounted seeing distressed travelers pleading about missing their flights: ‘There were people coming up crying, saying, ‘Excuse me, I’m going to miss my flight.’’

The European Commission maintains that the EES system functions well in most member states since its rollout. However, officials have not clarified how long the current technical issues will persist or how long suspensions in various countries will last.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges within the EU’s border processing system and raises questions about its readiness for peak travel seasons.

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The delays were primarily caused by the implementation of the European Entry / Exit System (EES), which became fully operational just two days prior, on April 10, 2026. This new system requires biometric registration for travelers, leading to longer than usual waiting times at passport control. Passengers reported severe congestion, with queues stretching across terminal halls, and many spent more time waiting in line than in the air.

Among those affected was a family from Merseyside, whose son, Fredrik, aged 5, was among the stranded passengers. They arrived at Milan Linate Airport with ample time, reaching their gate by 9:30 AM, only to be denied entry through passport control. “We got to the airport with more than enough time, and got to our gate at 9.30am, but we were totally refused entry through passport control,” said Vicky Chapman, a member of the family.

In total, one flight took off without its passengers, leaving them to navigate the chaos of the airport. Reports indicated that passengers spent approximately three hours seeking assistance, while easyJet acknowledged that the delays were beyond its control and apologized for the inconvenience. An easyJet spokesperson stated, “We are aware that some passengers departing from Milan Linate today experienced longer than usual waiting times at passport control and we advised customers due to fly to allow additional time to make their way through the airport.”

The UK government had previously warned travelers to the Schengen area to expect longer wait times at border control due to the EES. The Foreign Office also cautioned that travelers may need to provide biometric information when leaving the Schengen area, stating, “You may need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area.” This new requirement has added to the complexity and frustration for travelers.

In response to the situation, easyJet offered free flight transfers to those who missed their flights due to the border delays. However, missed flights due to border control queues are often classified as extraordinary circumstances, which can limit compensation options for affected passengers. As a result, many are left uncertain about their rights and the next steps they can take.

As the situation continues to unfold, passengers are advised to arrive earlier than usual for flights requiring passport checks. The European Union’s enhanced border checks are likely to remain in place, and further delays may be expected as travelers adjust to the new system. Details remain unconfirmed regarding how long these issues may persist, but the impact on travel plans is already evident.

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The circumstances surrounding the fall are currently under investigation, with authorities looking into the involvement of a third-party provider. This incident comes at a time when the aviation industry is already under scrutiny for various safety measures and operational protocols.

In a related event, passengers at Milan Airport faced significant delays due to issues at passport control, which resulted in around 100 travelers missing their easyJet flight to Manchester. The easyJet flight, which was scheduled to depart, was held for nearly an hour to accommodate the delayed passengers. However, the flight ultimately had to leave due to crew members reaching their safety-regulated operating hours.

Passengers expressed their frustration, with one stating, “We are stuck,” while another exclaimed, “What a nightmare!” The situation escalated as the easyJet flight EJU5420 from Milan to Manchester departed without half the plane, leaving many stranded. The long queues at passport control reportedly lasted for three hours, exacerbating the travel woes for those trying to return to the UK.

The UK government has recently updated its guidance for travelers heading to the European Schengen area, which may now require biometric registration upon arrival. This change could contribute to longer processing times at border control, as seen in Milan, and may lead to further complications for travelers.

As the investigation into the Jet2 incident unfolds, the aviation community is closely monitoring the situation. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific causes of the fall and the implications for safety regulations at Manchester Airport.

With the ongoing challenges faced by airlines and airports, it remains uncertain how these incidents will affect future travel plans and operational procedures. The situation continues to develop, and further updates are expected as authorities work to clarify the circumstances surrounding these events.

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