Ryanair Leaves Manchester-Bound Passengers at Milan Bergamo Airport on 16 April Over EES Delays
A Ryanair flight from Milan Bergamo to Manchester departed on 16 April, leaving behind an unspecified number of passengers who were reportedly held up by significant queues at passport control. The airline stated that passengers presenting at the boarding gate desk before its closure would have been accommodated. This event echoes an earlier incident where EasyJet passengers travelling from Milan Linate to Manchester also missed their flight due to similar issues.
The Entry-Exit System (EES), a European digital border control initiative, mandates non-EU citizens, including British nationals, to register biometric data such as face scans and fingerprints upon each entry into the Schengen Area. The EES, which has been phased in since October and was intended to be fully operational by 10 April, has been cited as the cause of extensive delays at various European airports.
One stranded passenger, 18-year-old Adam Hassanjee from Bolton, described a "complete chaos" at Milan Bergamo, claiming around 30 individuals missed the Ryanair flight. He recounted waiting for approximately 90 minutes at passport control, only to witness the aircraft depart. With no direct flights available, Mr Hassanjee was compelled to book an alternative route via Malta to Leeds.
While the European Commission maintains that the EES is "working very well" across the majority of EU member states, it has acknowledged "technical issues" in a few nations during the initial phase of full operation. The Commission asserts the system's purpose is to enhance border security and protect EU citizens, reporting over 52 million border crossings and 27,000 denied entries since its October introduction, with 700 individuals identified as security threats.
