Ryanair Refuses to Delay Flights for EU Border Queues

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary announced that the airline will not delay flights for passengers stuck in passport control queues, specifically those caused by the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES). O'Leary stated that the company's priority is departing on time and that planes will proceed as scheduled regardless of border delays.

The EES, fully implemented in April, requires non-EU citizens entering the 26-country Schengen zone to register fingerprints and photos. This has led to hours-long queues at major hubs, including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Copenhagen, and Milan Malpensa. O'Leary argued that the process should be automated and handled online, similar to the United States ESTA system, and warned travelers to arrive at airports earlier.

Ryanair classifies these border-control delays as an extraordinary circumstance. Consequently, affected passengers are not eligible for compensation and may be charged a £100 missed departure fee per person to move to the next available flight.