If you're planning to fly to the EU soon, don't expect the usual "breeze through the gate" experience. The reality hitting British travellers right now is ugly. On Sunday, April 12, 2026, about 100 easyJet passengers were left stranded at Milan Linate airport, watching their flight to Manchester take off without them. They weren't late because they were lingering over a final espresso. They were trapped in a three-hour border control queue that some described as a "living nightmare."
This isn't just one bad day at one airport. It’s the result of the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) finally going into full effect. People were reportedly fainting and vomiting in sweltering conditions while waiting for biometric checks. It’s a mess. If you don't want to be the one left behind, you need to know exactly why this is happening and how to navigate it.
The biometric bottleneck that's ruining holidays
The EES is a digital system designed to replace the old-fashioned physical passport stamping. In theory, it sounds efficient. In practice, it's a bottleneck. For your first entry into the Schengen area under these rules, you've got to provide fingerprints and have a facial recognition photo taken. This happens at dedicated kiosks, and it’s taking much longer than anyone anticipated.
At Milan Linate, the system practically buckled. On one flight, not a single passenger had made it to the departure gate by the time it was supposed to close. Ninety minutes later, only 12 people had trickled through. EasyJet held the plane for an hour, but they eventually had to leave. Why? Because pilots and crew have strict legal limits on how many hours they can work. If they wait too long for you, the whole flight gets cancelled for everyone.
What easyJet and other airlines are doing about it
You might think the airline would wait if half the plane is stuck in a queue. They won't. They can't. Here’s the cold truth about how easyJet is handling the chaos:
- Free transfers: If you miss your flight because of these specific EES delays, easyJet is currently offering free flight transfers to a later service.
- Limited liability: Don't expect them to pay for your hotel or dinner if you’re stranded. Since these delays are "outside their control" (meaning they're caused by government border authorities), the usual compensation rules don't apply.
- The "Arrive Early" warning: Airlines are now begging people to arrive at the airport three to five hours before departure.
It’s worth noting that Jet2 and other carriers are seeing similar congestion at airports like Faro in Portugal. This is a continental problem, not just an easyJet one.
How to actually survive the EES transition
The biggest mistake you can make right now is assuming your "fast track" pass or your status as a frequent flyer will save you. Everyone who isn't an EU citizen has to go through this registration process once every three years.
Prepare for the first-time registration
The very first time you enter or leave the Schengen area after April 10, 2026, you will be stopped for biometrics. There is no way around it. It takes about two to three minutes per person if the machines are working. Multiply that by a few hundred people in a queue, and you see where the three-hour wait comes from.
Watch the weather and your health
The scenes in Milan were particularly bad because the airport wasn't designed to hold thousands of people in unventilated corridors for hours. If you’re travelling during a warm spell, pack extra water and some snacks in your carry-on. You might be standing in a corridor with no access to shops for a long time.
Check your transit points
If you’re taking the Eurostar or the ferry from Dover, the EES checks happen before you leave the UK. This is actually a bit better because you won't be "stranded" in a foreign country if you miss the departure, but it still means you need to be at St Pancras or the port much earlier than the old "60 minutes before" rule.
Why things might get worse before they get better
The EU is also planning to launch ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) later in 2026. This will be a €7 (roughly £6) fee and a pre-travel authorization form, similar to the US ESTA. While EES is about how you enter (biometrics), ETIAS is about the permission to enter.
Right now, we're in the "teething" phase of EES. Border authorities are using "partial suspension" measures—basically skipping the fingerprints for some people to keep the line moving—but they can't do that forever. Once the system is fully mandatory for every single person, the pressure on airports like Milan, Paris, and Amsterdam is going to be immense.
Immediate steps for your next trip
Don't just hope for the best. If you have a flight booked:
- Check your airport's specific advice: Some airports have set up temporary pre-registration zones. Find out where they are before you arrive.
- Download the airline app: If easyJet or RyanAir sends a notification that the gate is closing, you need to know immediately so you can try to alert a border official (though they rarely care).
- Review your travel insurance: Check if your policy covers "missed departure" due to administrative or border delays. Many standard policies don't, so you might need an upgrade.
- Have a "Plan B" for your arrival: if you're stuck for three hours on the way in, your car rental or pre-booked taxi might disappear. Keep their phone numbers handy.
The days of arriving at the airport 90 minutes before a short-haul flight to Europe are officially dead. If you don't adjust your timing, you'll be the one watching your plane retract its stairs while you're still waiting to have your fingerprints scanned.
