Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has warned that flights will take off without passengers caught in passport queues across Europe this summer. Speaking on The Travel Expert podcast, O'Leary said if passengers are not at the boarding gate when boarding finishes, the plane will leave without them.
EU Entry-Exit System Causes Delays
Since the EU's entry-exit system (EES) took full effect in April, British passengers have faced queues of up to three hours at Schengen Area airports. Some travellers have missed return flights due to biometric checks. O'Leary called EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen 'stupid' over the chaos.
No Waiting for Delayed Passengers
O'Leary stated: "We will not wait for anybody. 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." Hundreds of travellers on various airlines have missed planes since April due to extreme passport control delays.
Financial Burden on Travellers
Stranded passengers have spent hundreds of pounds on replacement flights and hotels, with neither airlines nor travel insurers covering costs. O'Leary called the lack of passenger rights 'regrettable' but said Ryanair will not delay flights. He added: "They have to show up at the airport earlier [and] be at the boarding gate, otherwise they're not flying."
