EU Entry/Exit checks cause 3-hour delays as 100 easyJet passengers miss flight

Disruption overview

New EU Entry/Exit checks are causing waits of up to 3 hours at some European airports just as the May half-term holiday approaches. The worst congestion is being reported in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy, and in April more than 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight from Milan Linate Airport to Manchester Airport after getting stuck at passport control. The biometric system, which was stepped up on 10 April 2026, requires travelers from countries outside the Schengen Area such as the United Kingdom to give fingerprints and a facial photo when they enter. Because the delays come from border procedures rather than airline operations, compensation under EC 261 is usually unlikely, though passengers may still have care and assistance rights if their flight itself is delayed or canceled.

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Disruption details

Passengers traveling between the United Kingdom and Europe are facing waits of up to 3 hours at airport passport control as the EU’s Entry/Exit System was significantly ramped up on 10 April 2026. In April, more than 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight from Milan Linate Airport to Manchester Airport after they were still stuck at Italian passport control when boarding closed.

For passengers, that means earlier starts, longer queues, and a higher risk of missing a departure before the May half-term break even begins. Airports in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy are seeing the worst congestion, especially at non-EU passport desks.

The system first rolled out in October 2025, but pressure has grown since checks increased in April. Travelers from countries outside the Schengen Area, including the United Kingdom, now need to give fingerprints and a facial photo each time they enter. That extra step is slowing down processing at continental airports.

The recent easyJet incident shows how quickly those queues can spill over into the rest of your journey. More than 100 people traveling on the Milan Linate to Manchester route were unable to board because the queue had not cleared before the gate closed. Even when the problem is not caused by the airline, the result for you is still the same: stress, missed plans, and a difficult day of travel.

Many travelers are already changing their plans. In a Booking.com poll of 2,000 UK adults carried out between 8 May and 12 May, 56% said they planned to get to the airport earlier than usual, and 12% said they would arrive at least 4 hours before departure. Among people who had already flown to the EU since EES began, just over half said they had experienced some kind of delay, while 43% said they had not run into hold-ups.

There is some flexibility in the rules. Border officials can temporarily suspend the biometric checks during extreme peaks, but airports say they have limited space to redesign facilities before the system is fully enforced. That means queues may stay unpredictable for now, especially as holiday demand builds.

Some travel firms are telling passengers to prepare for the delays by keeping essentials in hand luggage:

• Allow extra time before you travel.

• Keep phone chargers, medication, and other essentials in your hand luggage.

• Be prepared for queues that can change quickly from one airport to another.

One destination may be easier this summer. Greece has said it will waive EES requirements for UK tourists, and that has already driven a rise in bookings to Greek destinations.

Because these delays come from government border procedures rather than airline operations, compensation under EC 261 is unlikely. Still, if your flight itself is delayed or canceled, your airline may still need to provide care and assistance, such as food, refreshments, accommodation, rebooking, or a refund, depending on the situation.

Although compensation is unlikely here, that doesn’t mean you’re without support. If you’re unsure what applies to your trip, you can use AirHelp’s free flight checker to understand your rights and see whether compensation could still be available in your circumstances.

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