Easyjet Flight Abandons 100 Passengers at Milan Linate Amid Border Control Chaos
Travellers face three-hour passport queues and out-of-pocket expenses after flight departs without them, blaming new European Entry/Exit System.
Image: Matt Weston / AI
Carla Rooney
An Easyjet flight from Milan Linate Airport to Manchester departed, leaving approximately 100 passengers stranded after extensive delays at border control.
Passengers waited up to three hours at passport control checks, a critical factor in missing their scheduled departures.
Easyjet described the situation as 'outside of our control' while supporting affected travelers.
Easyjet explicitly called the border delays 'unacceptable,' attributing them directly to the new European Entry/Exit System (EESS) implementation.
Witnesses at the scene detailed passengers vomiting and passing out due to intense heat and prolonged queuing conditions.
Vicky Chapman from Merseyside, traveling with her son Fredrik, stood among those stranded.
We were then told that we are a ‘no show’ on our flight because we did not get to the gate on time, even though passport control had issues and they would not let us through.
Another passenger, Kiera, observed only about 30 individuals boarded the plane, leaving approximately 100 others behind at the airport.
A passenger on X reported the 11 AM flight from Milan Linate to Manchester departed with only half its intended passengers.
Another traveler asserted, 'You abandoned me and 122 other passengers in Milan. You flew to Manchester with 34 onboard.'
This passenger further detailed, 'We queued for three hours and all the time the flight info remained at ‘boarding’ we were then told the delayed flight had left.'
The incident at Milan Linate reflects a broader pattern; travelers across Europe report hours-long waits at terminals in cities such as Lisbon, Milan, and Paris to clear immigration.
The introduction of the EESS, a system registering non-EU citizens entering and exiting the Schengen Area, precedes this widespread disruption.
The new digital system, designed to enhance border security and efficiency, instead created bottlenecks at major European hubs, impacting thousands of travelers.
Historically, similar large-scale system implementations, such as the initial rollout of biometric passports, faced teething problems, though rarely resulting in such immediate and widespread flight disruptions.
Chapman recounted being 'passed from pillar to post for three hours and no-one helped us,' highlighting the lack of immediate assistance on the ground.
We've had to pay out of pocket for an Airbnb.
She confirmed, 'We've had to pay out of pocket for an Airbnb' and learned Tuesday was the earliest they could secure a return flight, requiring a diversion to Gatwick.
The immediate economic impact falls directly on stranded passengers, forcing them to cover unexpected accommodation and rebooking costs.
Passengers reported airport staff and Easyjet personnel spent hours in dispute over who bore ultimate responsibility for the chaotic situation.
Ongoing EESS challenges could reshape future travel patterns, potentially pushing airlines and airports to adjust scheduling or increase staffing to mitigate prolonged border delays.
Seamless integration of new technologies within existing infrastructure remains critical to prevent future passenger abandonment and maintain public trust in air travel.