easyJet alert to passengers at risk of missing flights due to airport chaos

Passengers are fearing missing their flights due to long passport control queues at airports(Image: PA)

EasyJet has released a new warning to travellers heading to a sought-after European destination following concerns raised by customers across social media platforms. One traveller sought the carrier's advice after finding herself trapped in an extensive passport control queue at the terminal, with only moments remaining before her flight's boarding gate was due to shut.

Numerous individuals journeying throughout Europe have encountered hold-ups owing to lengthy queues at immigration checkpoints. This follows the European Union's (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) being formally implemented across the Schengen Zone last week.

The innovative automated IT framework took effect on April 10. It replaces traditional passport stamping for non-EU citizens (including Brits) with an electronic log of their arrivals and departures.

During your initial visit following the introduction, you must provide your fingerprints and a facial photograph at the frontier. The framework monitors the duration of your stay to guarantee you don't surpass the 90-day threshold within 180 days. Once you've registered, your biometric data remains active for three years. Registration for EES carries no charge.

Since the framework became fully operational, it has triggered substantial disruption. Travellers have documented waits stretching between two and three hours at principal airports, while certain carriers have encountered turmoil, with passengers failing to catch their departures owing to the sluggish processing of initial biometric enrolments, which can require up to four minutes per individual, reports the Mirror.

On X, traveller Deborah Benady, posting under the handle @Demube, expressed her anxiety about potentially missing her departure following an extended wait in the passport control queue at Lisbon Airport in Portugal, with merely 14 minutes remaining before take-off. She wrote: "@EasyJet,⁩ here I am at Lisbon airport waiting for passport control, and my flight leaves in 14 minutes."

An EasyJet representative replied to her message with a fresh update, providing guidance should she fail to make her scheduled departure. They stated: "Hi Deborah, I'm sorry to hear that you were delayed on the passport control queue at Lisbon airport.

"All airline passengers departing from Lisbon are currently experiencing longer than usual wait times at passport control. We are advising all customers travelling from Lisbon today to factor extra time for travelling through the airport on arrival and when making onward travel plans, and are working closely with the airport and border authorities to understand when this will be improved for our customers."

They added: "While this is outside of our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused by delays at the border. Please note the boarding gate closes 30 minutes before departure. If you miss your flight please reach out to the bag drop staff to enquire about the rescue fee. -Zama." A notice published on Lisbon Airport's official website as of April 15 states: "Due to possible constraints on departures border control, longer waiting times are to be expected. Passengers to international (Non Schengen) flights please arrive early at the airport."

In a recent Facebook announcement, the airport additionally advised: "Due to possible border control constraints, we recommend that passengers on international flights (extra EU) arrive at the airport in greater advance. Plan your trip well and avoid unforeseen things."