Passport 'mega queue' strands Ryanair passengers in Greece
Summary
Ryanair passengers traveling from Athens to London were left behind when their flight departed without them due to long waits at passport control. The delays are linked to new border checks for travelers entering or leaving the Schengen area, causing large queues and missed flights at several European airports.Key Facts
- A Ryanair flight from Athens to London left without 20 to 50 passengers on Sunday because of passport control delays.
- Passengers faced very long queues at Athens airport, with some waiting over an hour in stifling heat.
- The EU’s Entry Exit System (EES) requires extra checks for non-EU travelers, which has slowed passport processing.
- Greek officials have given mixed messages about whether UK travelers are exempt from biometric checks this summer.
- Airport authorities intervened to manage passenger frustration caused by the delays.
- Ryanair said only passengers at the gate when the flight boarded traveled, and those left behind missed the departure.
- Similar passport delays have happened elsewhere in Europe, such as in Milan and other airports.
- Airlines advise travelers to arrive three hours early due to longer border control times.
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