TOURS, FRANCE— A Ryanair (FR) flight from Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF) to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) departed without 24 passengers after extended border control checks delayed boarding.

The aircraft, scheduled to leave at 12:15 on March 11, 2026, departed at 12:57 as the pilot closed the doors to keep the assigned takeoff slot, leaving several passengers behind despite their arrival at the airport hours earlier.

Ryanair Pilot Leaves 24 Passengers in France

The Ryanair (FR) service from Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF) to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) encountered unusual delays caused by border security procedures linked to the rollout of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES), Connexion reported.

Airport officials confirmed that the boarding disruption followed an unannounced inspection by the French gendarmerie combined with additional biometric checks required for non-EU travelers. These inspections significantly slowed passenger processing at border control.

According to Louis Chaumont, director of Tours Val de Loire Airport, each biometric registration can take three to four minutes per traveler. With dozens of passengers waiting, the process quickly created long queues at the airport’s customs and security checkpoints.

Despite the delays, the flight crew had to respect a strict departure slot assigned by air traffic control. Missing that slot could have caused significant uncertainty about when the aircraft could depart next.

As a result, the pilot proceeded with departure procedures once the boarding gate closed.

Passengers Stuck at Customs for Over 90 Minutes

Several affected passengers reported long waiting times during security and border checks.

One traveler told local media that he arrived at the airport at 10:00, more than two hours before the scheduled departure. However, customs and security procedures took more than an hour and a half.

By the time passengers cleared the border checkpoint and reached the gate, the aircraft had already departed.

Airport staff later removed the luggage of the 24 passengers who could not board before the aircraft left Tours.

EES Rollout Increasing Processing Time at Borders

The delays also highlight operational challenges linked to the implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System.

The system requires biometric registration of non-EU travelers entering and leaving the Schengen Area. During the initial rollout phase, border authorities across France have been gradually introducing the system at airports and land crossings.

Authorities initially capped inspections while infrastructure and training were completed. By March 10, roughly 150 days after the phased launch began, all French border crossings were expected to operate the EES system with at least 50 percent of eligible travelers registered.

However, technical issues with registration kiosks and tablets have raised concerns about whether full implementation deadlines will be met.

France still plans to reach full operational capacity by the end of the month.

Ryanair Says Security Delays Were Outside Airline Control

Ryanair stated that the delays were caused entirely by airport security procedures and not by the airline’s operations.

The airline said boarding gates close on time to maintain scheduled departures and that passengers must arrive at the gate before closure.

According to the carrier, 155 passengers boarded the flight on time and departed for Marrakesh as scheduled once the aircraft received its departure clearance.

Airport Reviewing Responsibility for Missed Passengers

Tours Val de Loire Airport authorities are currently reviewing the situation to determine responsibility for the missed passengers.

Airport management stated that each case will be examined individually. Affected travelers have been advised to retain receipts and documentation related to additional travel expenses while the review continues.

Officials also warned that queues linked to the EES system could become longer in the coming months, particularly at smaller regional airports across France.

Travelers departing from these airports may need to allow extra time for border procedures as the new biometric system expands.

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