
The rollout of the European Union's New Entry-Exit System (ESS) has been branded a 'shambles' after 122 passengers were left stranded at Milan Linate Airport.
In one of the most severe instances of European travel disruption to date in 2026, an easyJet flight bound for Manchester was forced to depart with 122 empty seats. Only 34 passengers managed to clear passport control in time to board, despite many arriving more than three hours before their scheduled departure.