EasyJet passenger stranded 1,000 miles away from home for four days after EU border changes

The delays stem from the EU's recently implemented Entry/Exit System, which has replaced traditional passport stamps with biometric verification processes.

Although the new system was intended to streamline border crossings, initial problems have left numerous passengers attempting to return to Britain facing significant hold-ups.

Ms Bridgehouse, who was travelling independently for the first time, has been forced to take four days without pay as a consequence.

Her flight to Manchester was scheduled for 10.30am, and she had arrived with ample time to spare.

When the gate number appeared at 9.30am, airport staff directed her to join a queue for passport control.

"We were stood in the queue for about an hour and a half, probably even longer," she told ITV News, noting that personnel repeatedly called forward passengers bound for London Gatwick and Heathrow, but not those heading to Manchester.

Seeking reassurance, Ms Bridgehouse and fellow travellers approached staff members, who allegedly told them: "Don't worry, it's not going to leave without you, it will stay here until you all board."

Yet as the queue inched forward, the Manchester flight vanished from departure screens.

By approximately 11.30am, staff confirmed the aircraft had departed without them.

"What do you mean it's gone? I need to be on that flight, I have work tomorrow I have kids I need to get home to," Ms Bridgehouse recalled saying to staff.

The response offered no comfort: "There's nothing we can do, it's gone, you need to come out of the queue."

For Ms Bridgehouse, who suffers from anxiety, the situation proved particularly harrowing.

Passengers were led back through the departures area and directed down stairs to exit the building.

"I was a mess. I was terrified," she said, describing how panic overwhelmed her during the ordeal.

The stranded travellers were eventually guided to an EasyJet desk, where each received paperwork confirming their flight had been cancelled.

The soonest available flight Ms Bridgehouse could secure was departing four days later from Milano Malpensa Airport - a different airport entirely.

Her partner happened to be in Milan on business, allowing her to return to the city by bus and stay with him.

Following a prolonged conversation with EasyJet customer services, she was informed a £52 fee would apply to switch her booking to the Thursday departure.

The airline subsequently confirmed it had refunded both the replacement flight and the cancellation charge.

An EasyJet spokesman said: "While the issue was due to delays in EES processing, which is outside our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused."

However, Ms Bridgehouse noted this does not cover her additional accommodation costs or the four days of wages her employer cannot reimburse.

"We just want someone to take accountability for it, apologise, and promise that it's not going to happen again," she said.