WOMAN WITH PASSPORT IN DATE UNTIL NEXT YEAR TURNED AWAY FROM FLIGHT

Travel experts are warning people to check their passports now after a woman was this week refused boarding to her flight, and then turned away at the Passport Office. That was despite her passport being in date until February 2025 - and the mess up cost her hundreds of pounds and four days of a trip to Greece.

Experts at Travel Republic are advising travellers to check when their passport is due to expire as passports with less than three or six months remaining before expiry will not be accepted in most countries. And your passport must not have been issued more than 10 years ago for entry to some countries.

This week, TikTokker, @franhainingg was refused boarding on her flight to Greece, turned away from London’s passport office after travelling over two hours from Bournemouth, and told to return two days later for an appointment to get a new passport.

Fran reported on her latest TikTok video that her passport was two days over the necessary 10-year mark. Despite checking her passport and assuming it was fine as it isn’t due to expire until February 2025, Fran found herself in a debacle that cost her £200 for a new passport, £100 for new flights and a loss of four days of her holiday.

Users have taken to the comments to say: “I don’t understand!! How can it be ten years old before it expires”, “Does it not flag when you check in online ?” and “Omg just checked mine and it’s out of date for the 10-year rule. I go away in three weeks. Just booked my appointment. So glad I saw your video”.

What are the new rules?

Those travelling to any country in the EU, or Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Switzerland should ensure their passports:

• have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the EU country (the "date of issue")

• are valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (the "date of expiry")

Gemma Brown, Head of Commercial and Travel expert at Travel Republic said: “If travellers make it all the way to their boarding gate without checking, airlines can refuse those holding passports that were issued over 10 years ago. In this instance, passengers should be aware that denied boarding is reasonable due to inadequate travel documentation.

“The likelihood is that travel insurance providers would not cover any costs associated with invalid or expired passports, as it’s down to the traveller to triple check their documentation is correct.

“Our advice would be to ensure that your passport is within the 10-year issue date and is valid for at least six months from the date of departure to ensure you will be accepted into most countries. Regardless of passport rules, it’s important for all travellers to research the country they plan to visit and ensure they know what travel documentation is required upon entering and leaving. You can find foreign travel advice on the government website to make sure you have everything covered.”

2024-06-13T09:38:54Z dg43tfdfdgfd