Vicky Chapman’s family are among around 100 passengers now stuck in Milan after their easyjet flight home left without them
A Merseyside family are stranded in Milan after an EasyJet flight took off without them. Vicky Chapman, 26, from Pensby, Wirral, was due to fly to Manchester this morning with son Fredrik, five, and her family following a family holiday.
Vicky said she was one of 105 passengers left stranded at Milan‘s Linate Airport. The 11am flight was held for 59 minutes as passengers were held up at passport control, but eventually departed as the flight crew was approaching the end of mandated time limits, the ECHO understands.
Vicky, partner Adam Hoijord, son Fredrik, mum Lynne Chapman and brother Dan Chapman are now stuck in Milan until Tuesday.
EasyJet said that while the delays were outside of it’s control, it was sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Vicky said: “We got to the airport with more than enough time, and got to our gate at 9.30am, but we were totally refused entry through passport control. We were then told that we are a ‘no show’ on our flight because we did not get to the gate on time, even though passport control had issues and they would not let us through.
“We were passed from pillar to post for three hours and no-one helped us. It was so hot in the airport, people were vomiting, people were almost passing out. We’re being told that Tuesday is the earliest we can get back, and that we have to fly to Gatwick. We’ve had to pay out of pocket for an Airbnb.”
The delays come as the European Union rolls out new checks at the border. The Foreign Office has warned travellers may have to “wait longer than usual” at the border.
EasyJet acknowledged that some passengers were held up at passport control in Milan, and passengers had been advised to allow additional time to make their way through the airport due to longer than usual wait times at passport control.
The airline said customers would be offered free flight transfers.
This morning, the ECHO reported that the Foreign Office had updated its travel guidance for 29 European countries, including Italy, after the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) was rolled out.
Visitors to the Schengen area may need to register biometric details such as fingerprints and a photo. On a first visit to a Schengen country, travellers may be asked to register details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk.
The Foreign Office said: “You may need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken. EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.
“EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit.”
A spokesperson for EasyJet said: “We are aware that some passengers departing from Milan Linate today experienced longer than usual waiting times at passport control and we advised customers due to fly to allow additional time to make their way through the airport.
“We have been doing all possible to minimise the impact of the airport queues, holding flights to allow customers extra time and providing free flight transfers for any customers who may have missed their flight including EJU5420 to Manchester.
“We continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities for as long as needed while EES is implemented, to avoid these unacceptable border delays for our customers.
“While this is outside of our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
