Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary has issued a stark warning to passengers: if you are not at the boarding gate when boarding finishes, the plane will leave without you. Speaking on The Travel Expert podcast, O'Leary said it is the traveller's responsibility to arrive on time, and he criticised the European Union's new entry-exit system (EES) for causing lengthy delays at airports.
New EU Rules Blamed for Delays
Since the EES digital border scheme took effect in April, British holidaymakers have faced waits of up to three hours at Schengen Area airports. Hundreds of passengers across multiple airlines have missed flights, including Ryanair customers who watched their planes depart while stuck in passport control queues. O'Leary called the situation "regrettable" but insisted Ryanair will not delay flights for those caught in the queues.
O'Leary's Strict Message
"We will not wait for anybody," O'Leary said on the podcast. "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." He also labelled EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen as 'stupid' during the interview, according to reports from the Express.
Passengers Left Stranded
Stranded travellers have spent hundreds of pounds on replacement flights and hotels, only to find that neither the airline nor travel insurers will cover the cost. O'Leary said the lack of passenger rights is "regrettable" but reiterated that passengers must show up at the airport earlier and be at the boarding gate on time. "They have to show up at the airport earlier [and] be at the boarding gate, otherwise they're not flying," he added.
