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Mon, 20 Apr 2026

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 Another flight leaves passengers behind due to border delays

New European border rules have caused delays at airports across the continent, affecting flights.

* Ryanair passengers due to fly from Milan Bergamo to Manchester were left behind due to problems at passport control.
* The introduction of the European Entry-Exit System (EES) has been blamed for long delays at European airports, including Milan Bergamo and Tenerife South.
* EES requires non-EU citizens to register biometric information, which can then be checked each time they cross a European Schengen Area border.
* The system was meant to become fully operational on 10 April but has been phased in since October.
* Ryanair confirmed that passengers would have boarded the flight if they had presented at the boarding gate desk before it closed.
* About 30 people were left stranded in Milan Bergamo, according to one passenger.
* EES is run by the relevant border control authority in each country rather than by the airport or airline.
* Some passengers reported chaos and disorganization at passport control, with long queues and staff who seemed unhelpful.
* The European Commission has said that the system is "working very well" overall, but acknowledged that there have been technical issues in some countries.
* Since EES was introduced in October, more than 56 million border crossings have been registered, and 28,500 people have been denied entry.