According to documents from Ryanair, approximately 30 passengers were left stranded at Milan Bergamo Airport on that date alone. This situation is not isolated; it follows a broader pattern of complications that have arisen since the EES became fully operational on April 10, 2026. Sources indicate that the EES, designed to streamline border crossings by requiring non-EU citizens to register biometric information, has inadvertently resulted in longer processing times at various airports.

In total, around 122 passengers were reportedly stranded at Milan Linate due to similar passport control delays during the same period. These figures highlight a troubling trend that has emerged since the rollout of the EES system, which was initially phased in starting October 12, 2025. The system aims to replace manual passport stamping and track visa-free limits but appears to be struggling with its implementation.

Passengers are now required to scan their passports, provide fingerprints, and submit facial images at passport control—a process that is expected to take between one and two minutes per person. However, as evidenced by recent events, this may not be sufficient to prevent significant delays during peak travel times. In light of these challenges, Ryanair has advised customers to arrive early at busy airports to mitigate the risk of missing their flights.

Interestingly, Greece has paused its rollout of the EES due to considerable delays experienced at its borders—a decision that underscores growing concerns regarding the system’s efficacy across various Schengen Area countries. The Schengen Area itself comprises 27 countries but notably excludes the UK and Cyprus. As such, variations in implementation and operational efficiency may differ significantly across member states.

Further complicating matters is the fact that British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points as per statements from the Greek Embassy. This exemption adds another layer of complexity for travelers navigating different regulations across borders within Europe.

While EES registration is free and lasts for three years before re-registration is needed, it remains uncertain how effectively these measures will resolve ongoing issues related to border delays. As travel demand continues to rise in post-pandemic Europe, authorities must address these inefficiencies promptly. Details remain unconfirmed regarding potential adjustments or improvements planned for the EES system moving forward.

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