The EES requires non-EU citizens to register biometric information at border crossings. This includes scanning passports, providing fingerprints, and taking facial images. On this particular day, a number of travelers missed a flight from Milan to Manchester due to these passport control delays.

Approximately 30 passengers were reported stranded at Milan Bergamo Airport. This added to the chaos already unfolding at Milan Linate, where around 122 passengers faced similar issues. The EES system had become fully operational just six days earlier, on April 10, 2026.

The rollout of the EES began on October 12, 2025. It was designed to replace manual passport stamping and track visa-free limits for travelers entering the Schengen Area. This area consists of 27 countries, excluding the UK and Cyprus.

Passengers are advised to arrive early at busy airports like Milan Bergamo. Ryanair has communicated this recommendation to customers in light of longer queues expected due to the new system.

Greece has paused its EES rollout amid considerable delays experienced during implementation. Despite this setback, the EES remains operational in other Schengen countries.

As of now, British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek borders under the new system. This exemption was confirmed by the Greek Embassy on April 10.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding how long these disruptions might last or if further complications will arise as more travelers encounter the new procedures.

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The EES, which became fully operational on April 10, 2026, requires biometric registration for travelers entering the Schengen area. This new system has resulted in severe congestion at border control, with queues stretching across terminal halls. Passengers reported spending more time in these queues than in the air, leading to frustration and confusion.

Among those affected was a family from Merseyside, who arrived at the airport with ample time before their flight. Despite reaching the gate at 9:30 AM, they were denied entry through passport control and ultimately missed their flight, which departed at 11:00 AM. The family, including their 5-year-old son Fredrik, spent three hours seeking assistance before they could find a resolution.

EasyJet has acknowledged the situation, stating that the delays were beyond their control and offered free flight transfers to passengers who missed their flights due to border delays. An easyJet spokesperson emphasized the importance of allowing additional time for airport processing, saying, “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 heading 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, such as fingerprints or photos, when leaving the Schengen area. This new requirement has added to the complexity of international travel between the UK and EU countries.

As the situation unfolded, easyJet urged border authorities to utilize the flexibilities permitted during the EES implementation to minimize delays for travelers. “We continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities for as long as needed while the European Entry / Exit System is implemented, to avoid these unacceptable border delays for our customers,” the spokesperson stated.

Despite the airline’s efforts to assist stranded passengers, the missed flights due to border control queues are often classified as extraordinary circumstances, which limits compensation options for affected travelers. Passengers are now advised to arrive earlier than usual for flights requiring passport checks to avoid similar situations in the future.

As the new border control measures continue to be implemented, the full impact on travelers remains to be seen. With ongoing reports of congestion at airports, details remain unconfirmed regarding how long these delays may persist and what additional measures might be introduced to alleviate the situation.

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