Britons faced widespread travel disruptions as a result of extensive delays caused by new EU border regulations, resulting in some travelers missing their return flights and becoming stranded overseas.
Approximately 100 passengers on an EasyJet flight from Milan to Manchester were left behind due to extensive queues at Milan’s Linate airport on Sunday. These delays were attributed to the implementation of the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), which mandates biometric and facial recognition checks for individuals from non-EU countries, including the UK.
Major airports in cities like Paris, Lisbon, and Milan experienced significant queues as travelers grappled with prolonged immigration clearance processes. Reports emerged of passengers vomiting and fainting in the lengthy lines at Milan’s Linate airport, exacerbated by a heatwave.
The EES, which commenced on October 12, 2025, was fully launched on Friday, April 10, 2026. This digital border system replaces the manual passport stamping process for third-party country nationals entering the Schengen area, encompassing EU nations and select additional countries.
Upon arrival in a Schengen area country after the EES implementation, British travelers are required to register digitally at the port or airport, with no pre-travel paperwork necessary. Registration under EES is free and entails potential fingerprint and photo submissions, which may also be requested upon exiting the Schengen area.
While the EES may add a few minutes to the passenger processing time, the registration remains valid for three years once completed. Additionally, Britons will soon need to engage with the ETIAS visa-waiver scheme, launching in late 2026, requiring a €20 application fee for a three-year exemption to visit the EU.
Countries like Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and several others participate in the Schengen area, while the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus fall outside, making EES inapplicable for travel to these destinations.
Amid the chaos, affected travelers criticized EasyJet for the situation, with instances of passengers enduring extended waits and incurring additional costs to secure alternative travel arrangements. The airline expressed frustration over the delays, emphasizing the need for efficient border processes to minimize customer disruptions.
Jet2 issued an alert at Faro Airport in Portugal due to congestion issues, urging passengers to arrive early to navigate through the queues smoothly. Recommendations from travel industry associations advise travelers to prioritize passport control after check-in and security clearance and heed transport providers’ guidance on airport arrival times.
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