Travelling across Europe in summer: Expect flight delays

Travelling across Europe during the summer can be a nightmare should anything happen to disrupt the flow of the peak traffic. It may be worse this summer, and travellers should expect delays. Already there are stories of a number people who have missed their flights.

British Airways, Ryanair and EasyJet have advised their customers to allow plenty of time to get through the airport because of enhanced immigration checks. Ryanair suggests that customers arrive at least three hours before departure time.

The European Commission said this is “the price of security”. It is not something most people want to argue about for their safety. New measures to check potential terrorist threats have been introduced, but it looks like some airports are not ready for the implementation. Passengers complained about inadequate border control booths and staff to handle the usual surge in summer travel.

The summer months in the past had also experienced disruptions caused by industrial action. For now, strike action by security workers at Barcelona Airport every Friday, Sunday and Monday since August 4 to last throughout the season has added to the woes of travellers. Let’s hope other disgruntled airport staff and airline crew do not see this as an opportune time to join them.

It may make sense to put off travel to outside the peak months, but for many people this just isn’t possible because of work, school and other commitments.