EasyJet Flight Takes Off Without 100 Passengers Amid EU Border Delays in Milan
EasyJet passengers were reportedly left vomiting and fainting in extensive border control queues as a flight to the United Kingdom departed with approximately 100 individuals abandoned at Milan's Linate airport. The incident occurred following the implementation of new European Union border regulations, which have significantly altered travel procedures for British citizens.
New EU Entry/Exit System Causes Major Disruptions
The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) officially commenced on October 12, 2025, with a full rollout on April 10, 2026. This digital border framework mandates that UK passport holders traveling to Schengen area nations for short stays must register biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs, upon arrival. While there is no pre-arrival action or cost associated with EES registration, the Foreign Office has cautioned that the process may require additional time, leading to longer than usual waits at border checkpoints.
Passengers Endure Extreme Conditions and Flight Departure
On Sunday, amidst a heatwave in Italy, desperate travelers faced waits of up to three hours, resulting in some individuals vomiting and passing out due to the stressful conditions. The EasyJet flight, originally scheduled to depart for Manchester, ultimately took off at 12:48 PM without around 100 passengers. Kiera, a teenage passenger from Oldham, informed the BBC that only about 30 people managed to board the aircraft, leaving roughly 100 stranded in the queue.
"We arrived at seven-thirty for our eleven o'clock flight, so we were super early," Kiera explained. "At Border Control, there was a massive queue. I wasn't feeling well anyway, likely from food poisoning. Around ten-fifty, they brought water, and when we reached the front, someone asked if we were going to Manchester and told us our flight had just left."
Eyewitness Accounts and Airline Response
Max Hume, a teacher from West Yorkshire, recounted to The Independent that border staff refused passage even though no one was processing passports, citing an unreleased gate. He noted that his wife nearly fainted from the heat and observed other passengers vomiting into bags. In response, EasyJet issued a statement to The Sun, attributing the delays to EES processing holdups by border authorities.
"We held flight EJU5420 from Milan to Manchester for nearly an hour to provide extra time for passengers, but it had to depart due to crew reaching their safety-regulated operating hours," the airline stated. "Affected customers have been offered free flight transfers. We urge border authorities to utilize all permitted flexibilities during EES implementation to prevent these unacceptable delays. While this situation is beyond our control, we apologize for any inconvenience caused."
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges and disruptions faced by travelers as new EU border systems are integrated, highlighting significant impacts on airport operations and passenger welfare during peak travel periods.
