Nearly 70 Ryanair passengers were left stranded at Lanzarote Airport on May 4 due to failures in the new passport control system. The disruption highlighted significant operational challenges during the peak travel season.
The delays affected 68 passengers who missed their flight to Edinburgh. The issues reportedly stemmed from complications with the airport’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which is designed to register third-country nationals, including British citizens.
As of 11am, reports indicated that operations had started to be impacted. By midday, the problem was resolved, allowing normal operations to resume.
Ryanair confirmed that all passengers who presented at the boarding gate before departure were accommodated. However, the incident raises concerns about the reliability of the EES during busy travel periods.
The EES requires travelers to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs. This system aims to streamline passport checks and monitor visa-free travelers’ duration in the EU.
Ryanair’s chief operations officer, Neal McMahon, criticized the timing of the EES implementation. He stated, “Governments across Europe are attempting to roll out a half-baked IT system in the middle of the busiest travel season of the year, and passengers are paying the price.” He urged EU governments to suspend the EES until September.
The situation has drawn attention from various stakeholders as it highlights ongoing border control issues that can arise with new regulations. Ryanair has reached out to 29 countries regarding these concerns.
This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in implementing new systems under EU travel regulations, especially during peak travel times.