Hundreds of Ryanair passengers were left stranded at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport on October 27 after experiencing significant delays at passport control. The incident, which left travelers unable to board flights, stemmed from a combination of staffing shortages at the border and a surge in passenger volume during the final weekend of the summer flight schedule.
Why are passengers facing long wait times at Alicante?
The delays at Alicante Airport primarily stem from a mismatch between passenger volume and available border staff. According to reports from the BBC, travelers faced “mega queues” that prevented them from reaching their departure gates before boarding doors closed. While Ryanair operates the flights, the Aena-managed airport facility is responsible for the infrastructure where passport control occurs.
Historically, Spanish airports have struggled with staffing levels at Schengen border checkpoints since the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union. Because UK travelers are now subject to manual passport stamping, the processing time per passenger has increased compared to the pre-Brexit era.
How does the post-Brexit border process impact travel?
The shift in travel requirements has fundamentally altered throughput at Spanish airports. Since the UK is no longer part of the Schengen Area, travelers must have their passports checked and stamped by Spanish National Police officers.
* Increased Processing Time: Each passenger now requires more interaction with border agents to account for entry and exit stamps.
* Staffing Constraints: Border control is managed by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, not the airlines. When staffing levels do not align with the flight schedule, bottlenecks occur.
* Gate Closures: Ryanair, like many low-cost carriers, enforces strict gate closure times to maintain turnaround efficiency. When passengers are trapped in security or immigration queues, the airline typically refuses to delay the aircraft, leaving passengers to navigate rebooking processes.
What are the rights of stranded passengers?
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passenger rights depend on the cause of the delay. If an airline cancels a flight or denies boarding, they are generally required to provide care—such as meals and hotel accommodation—and offer a choice between a refund or rebooking.
However, legal experts note a critical distinction: if the delay is caused by “extraordinary circumstances” outside the airline’s control, such as airport infrastructure failure or border control delays, airlines may be exempt from paying additional financial compensation. Ryanair’s standard policy requires passengers to arrive at the airport with sufficient time to clear security and border control. The company maintains that it is not responsible for delays caused by third-party airport services.
Looking ahead: Digital border solutions
The European Union is currently preparing to implement the Entry/Exit System (EES), which aims to automate the registration of non-EU nationals. This digital system is intended to replace manual passport stamping, which officials hope will reduce the duration of border checks. While the system has faced multiple implementation delays, its rollout is expected to shift the burden away from manual human processing, potentially alleviating the “mega queue” issues currently plaguing major holiday hubs like Alicante.