EasyJet Flight Leaves Stranded Family in Chaos on Milan to Manchester Route
Chaos erupted at Milan’s Linate Airport on April 12, 2026, leaving approximately 100 passengers stranded as EasyJet flight EJU5420 to Manchester departed without them. The turmoil stemmed from extended wait times at border control due to new entry regulations from the UK government. Passengers faced queues of up to three hours, leading to a dramatic situation for families and individuals aiming to fly home.
Stranded Passengers Share Their Experience
Vicky Chapman, a 26-year-old from Wirral, was one of the affected passengers. She was traveling with her partner Adam Hoijord, their five-year-old son Fredrik, her mother Lynne Chapman, and her brother Dan Chapman. The family arrived at the airport well ahead of their 11am flight but found themselves unable to get through passport control.
“We were totally refused entry through passport control because of the queue,” Vicky explained. “Despite arriving at our gate on time, border issues led to us being labeled as a ‘no show’ for our flight.”
Unacceptable Delays and Health Concerns
Vicky recounted scenes of distress, with people feeling faint in the heat. “We were passed around for three hours with no assistance. People were vomiting and almost passing out,” she added.
Due to the delays, the Chapman family must now wait until Tuesday to return home, with EasyJet informing them they would need to fly into Gatwick, incurring additional costs for accommodations and transportation.
Impact of New Entry Regulations
The delays at the airport were largely attributed to the new electronic entry and exit system (EES) introduced by the UK government. This system requires biometric registration for travelers entering the Schengen area, replacing the manual stamping of passports. As a result, lengthy processing times have become common at border control.
Responses from EasyJet and Passengers
- EasyJet extended their apologies and stated that they held the plane for nearly an hour to accommodate delayed passengers.
- An EasyJet spokesperson confirmed that they had to leave due to crew hours regulations, stating they could not delay any further.
- Passengers who missed their flights were offered free flight transfers to new destinations.
Another affected passenger, Emily Benn from Grimsby, shared her ordeal of waiting at the crowded airport. After checking in early for her flight, Emily found herself caught in an overwhelming queue. “The border control process was severely backlogged,” she said. “We were told our flight had already left by the time we got through.”
Travel Advisory and Recommendations
The UK government has clarified that travelers should expect longer wait times due to EES. Passengers are encouraged to arrive earlier to accommodate potential delays at border control.
EasyJet has urged border authorities to optimize the new system to minimize inconvenience. While the airline acknowledges that the situation was beyond its control, it remains committed to customer service amid the ongoing travel disruptions caused by these changes.