Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has said that flights will not wait for passengers who are late to the boarding gate, even if delays are caused by new EU passport control systems. Speaking on The Travel Expert podcast, O'Leary stated that if a flight has finished boarding, it should leave without those who are not at the gate.
Blame on travellers
O'Leary said it is travellers' responsibility to arrive for flights on time. He also criticised EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, calling her 'stupid' during the podcast, as reported by the Express.
Impact of new EU border system
British holidaymakers have faced added stress from the EU's entry-exit system (EES), which took effect in April. This has led to waits of up to three hours at Schengen Area airports.
'We will not wait for anybody,' O'Leary said. 'Our priority is to those passengers who are at the boarding gate when boarding starts. If you're not at the boarding gate when we finish boarding, the plane is going without you.'
Missed flights and costs
Hundreds of travellers on various airlines have missed planes since April, including Ryanair passengers who watched their flights depart without them due to extreme delays at passport control. Stranded travellers have spent hundreds on replacement flights and hotels, only to find that neither the airline nor travel insurers will cover the cost.
O'Leary called the lack of passenger rights 'regrettable'. He said Ryanair will not delay flights for passengers stuck in passport control queues, advising them to arrive earlier and be at the boarding gate on time.
