easyjet Milan passengers stranded — around 100 passengers bound for Manchester were left behind at Milan Linate Airport on Sunday, 12 April 2026, after their flight departed while they were still held in passport control queues lasting up to three hours, according to BBC. Travellers had arrived well ahead of the scheduled 11:00 departure, in some cases from 07:30, but were unable to clear border checks as congestion intensified at the final control point before boarding. Passenger accounts describe people becoming unwell in the queue amid heat and prolonged waiting, while boarding procedures closed and the aircraft departed with a reduced number of passengers on board. The disruption affected an EasyJet service to Manchester and coincides with extended processing times linked to new European border procedures. The WP Times reports, citing the BBC.
The sequence reported by passengers indicates that check-in and security were completed, but delays concentrated at passport control for UK-bound travellers, who are processed as third-country passengers. By the time individuals reached the front, they were informed the flight had departed. Estimates from those affected indicate that around 30 passengers boarded, leaving close to 100 unable to reach the gate in time and remaining in the terminal awaiting rebooking or alternative travel.
Passenger timeline and on-ground conditions in Milan
Passengers describe extended waiting times concentrated at a single processing point rather than across the airport system. “We got here at 7:30 for an 11:00 flight… it was a massive queue,” said Kiera, 17, from Oldham (BBC, Milan, 12 April 2026). She added: “Only about 30 people got on the plane, about 100 didn’t.” She reported that replacement flights for the following day cost around £520, with rerouting via Gatwick Airport instead of Manchester, alongside additional onward travel.
Further accounts indicate limited immediate alternatives at the airport. “We have been sat at the airport for hours,” said Adam Lomas, 33, from Wakefield, travelling with his wife and infant child (BBC, Milan, 12 April 2026). “Airport and EasyJet were arguing about who is to blame.” Some passengers sought accommodation locally, while others explored departures from alternative airports. Reports also reference passengers remaining in the terminal overnight while awaiting new bookings. Key reported figures:
- Queue time: up to 3 hours
- Passengers left behind: ~100
- Estimated passengers onboard: ~30
- Arrival at airport: ~07:30 for 11:00 flight
- Rebooking cost (example): ~£520
- Compensation offered (example): £12.25
Border control delays and EES system impact
The delays are linked to changes in border processing associated with the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaces manual passport stamping with biometric registration for non-EU travellers. The process includes fingerprint and image capture, increasing the time required per passenger. UK travellers are subject to full third-country checks following Brexit, adding to processing demand on routes between Italy and the United Kingdom.
In a statement, easyJet said: “We are aware that some passengers experienced longer than usual waiting times at passport control” and described the delays as “outside of our control” (easyJet, 12 April 2026). The airline added that it had attempted to reduce disruption by holding flights where possible and offering free transfers to later services, including the affected Manchester route. Passengers reported difficulty contacting customer support during the disruption, including failed calls and automated responses. Under current EU passenger rights frameworks, missed flights linked to border control delays may not qualify for standard compensation if the flight departs as scheduled.
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