Simon Calder issues warning to easyJet passengers

Travel expert Simon Calder has issued a warning to flight passengers after an incident in which more than 100 easyJet passengers were stranded abroad. The incident, which saw 122 passengers stranded in Milan, Italy, as their easyJet flight took off for Manchester without them. This happened due to new EU border checks, which caused huge queues at the airport.

The European Union recently introduced its new Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires some travellers entering or leaving the Schengen area to provide biometric details, including fingerprints and photographs.

Following the incident, travel journalist Simon Calder answered holidaymakers' questions about the new rules following the incident where scores of tourists were left stranded. In a stark warning to passengers, he explained that "passengers will usually bear the cost of delays at border control, with airlines and insurers unlikely to help unless trips are booked as package holidays".

One person asked him during a Q&A session: "If I miss my flight due to EES queues, who is responsible?"

He replied: "As 122 easyJet passengers found out yesterday, they are entirely responsible for sorting out - and paying for - their travel disarray. The only possible route I can see for any claims is if you have booked a package holiday - but even then the tour operator may be able to argue that its obligation is over once you are delivered to the departure airport for your homeward flight."

Another asked him if they can claim costs after missing a flight due to EES queues, to which he said: "Nobody is particularly interested in helping such people."

He warned flyers that airlines say it is down to the passenger to ensure they are at the gate on time, and that insurance will not pay out.

A statement from the Association of British Insurers shared with him reads: "Longer wait times are expected as the entry-exit system comes into effect, and we'd encourage customers to plan in advance and be prepared for possible delays.

Travel insurance is unlikely to cover losses from delays caused by EES queues, so if you miss your flight, or other parts of your trip, it's best to speak to your airline, accommodation provider or tour operator in the first instance."

He also explained that legal action against the airport would likely not work, because they would just "push it along to the border police", who would likely say that they should take as long as they see fit.

The UK Government has already warned travellers that the new system could cause significantly longer waits at border control.It comes as the busy summer travel period approaches, with many Brits set to hit countries affected by the change, including Croatia, France, Greece, Spain and Portugal.

Foreign Office advice states: "EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border."

Meanwhile, an easyJet spokesperson said following the Milan flight incident: "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."

The statement adds: "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."