Over 100 British Passengers Miss easyJet Flight at Milan Due to EU Border Delays
More than 100 British passengers were left stranded at Milan Linate Airport after missing an easyJet flight to Manchester due to passport control queues lasting up to three hours, exacerbated by the European Union's new Entry/Exit System.
The incident occurred on Sunday, with travelers reporting chaotic conditions as they attempted to board the evening flight. Passengers described arriving at the airport with ample time, only to face massive lines at border control. Some were held back to prioritize another airline's service, while others endured sweltering heat that led to illness, including vomiting and near fainting. The flight, identified as EJU5420, was held for nearly an hour to accommodate delays but ultimately departed with only about 30 passengers on board, as crew members reached their maximum operating hours.
Vicky Chapman, 26, from Pensby in Wirral, was among those affected during a related morning flight on Monday. Traveling with her five-year-old son, partner, mother, and brother after a family holiday, she said they reached the gate by 9:30 a.m. but were refused entry through passport control. "We got to the airport with more than enough time... but we were passed...