EasyJet Passengers Face Delays from New EU Entry-Exit System at Milan Airport

Passengers traveling with EasyJet from Milan's Linate airport experienced extended delays at border control following the introduction of the European Union's Entry-Exit System (EES). The system, which became fully operational on April 10, 2026, requires third-country nationals, including those from the UK, to provide biometric data such as facial scans and fingerprints upon entering the Schengen area.

Further checks occur upon departure.

On Sunday, more than 100 passengers missed their scheduled flight to Manchester while waiting in passport control queues. The airline described the queues as unacceptable. Some travelers reported feeling unwell, including instances of vomiting and fainting, during the biometric and facial recognition processes.

Carol Boon, a 59-year-old from Staffordshire, was part of a group of six on a weekend trip in Milan. She described the situation as very stressful, with people arguing and some becoming ill. Boon and her group have arranged accommodation in the city and plan to fly to Gatwick on Tuesday.

Boon stated that even arriving five hours early would not have helped, as gate information was provided only 90 minutes before departure. After missing the flight, she said airline representatives left passengers to manage on their own. The group expressed concerns about work, childcare, and pets back home.

Max Hume, 56, from Leeds, also missed the flight and arranged alternative travel via Luxembourg, costing him more than £1,800. He described the experience as awful and a mess. The airline offered £19 compensation and a flight on Thursday, but Hume opted for a quicker, more expensive option at £300.

Airline and Airport Responses A spokesperson for EasyJet said the airline had warned passengers to allow extra time due to longer waiting times at passport control.

The flight was held to accommodate delays, and free transfers were provided to affected customers. The spokesperson apologized, noting the issues were outside the airline's control, and urged border authorities to use permitted flexibilities to reduce delays. Other passengers shared similar experiences.

Joy Oliver, traveling from Milan Linate with her husband and friends, arrived three hours before departure but faced what she called absolute carnage at border control. She rebooked a flight to Edinburgh for Tuesday, requiring family assistance to retrieve cars from Manchester Airport and travel onward to Lancaster.

Adam Hoijard from Wirral arrived three hours early with his family but waited for hours in the queue.

He reported people feeling sick and expressed frustration at being advised to arrive even earlier. The family spent £1,000 on a flight to London Gatwick on Tuesday, following a trip for a relative's birthday.

Broader Disruptions and System Details European airports and airlines reported significant operational disruptions since the EES rollout on Friday.

Initial reports indicated passenger waiting times of two to three hours at border control during peak periods. In one instance, no passengers arrived at the departure gate on time, with only 12 appearing 90 minutes after closure. Previously, border authorities could suspend EES operations entirely if waits became excessive.

Now, only partial suspensions are allowed. Airport and airline representatives have called for greater flexibility ahead of the summer travel season to manage increased passenger volumes. The EES aims to track entries and exits for non-EU nationals to improve border security and overstayer detection.

It applies across the Schengen zone, affecting millions of travelers annually, including those from the UK post-Brexit. Ongoing implementation may lead to continued adjustments in airport procedures.