Couple’s £1,800 package holiday left in tatters after TUI stop them from boarding flight as their passports were still nine months in date but did not meet requirements to enter Spain
- A couple were blocked from travelling to Benidorm from East Midlands Airport
- They were prevented from flying as their passports were more than 10 years old
A couple’s £1,800 package holiday to Benidorm was left in tatters after they were blocked from boarding a flight because their passports were more than 10 years old but did not expire for another nine months.
The husband and wife from Nottingham were halted at East Midlands Airport after booking a 10-day trip that was meant to see them fly out with TUI.
The airline, however, blocked Penny Priestly, 59, and her husband, Dug, from flying out, as their passports were over 10 years old – despite the fact they expire in February 2024.
Government rules currently ban British citizens from travelling to any EU country, except Ireland, if their passports were issued more than a decade after their date of travel.
Prior to September 2018, British passport holders were able to add up to nine months of ‘credit’ onto a renewed 10-year passport, from a previous passport.
Penny Priestly, 59, (right) and her husband Dug (left) were blocked from boarding a flight to Benidorm as their passports were more than 10 years old
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This meant passports could be valid for a maximum term of 10 years and nine months.
As such, even though the couple’s passports were still in date, they were blocked from flying, due to more stringent rules introduced following Brexit.
The new rules block British citizens from travelling to all EU countries, apart from Ireland, if their passports are more than ten years old.
The couple claim the airline failed to make them aware of the rules.
After arriving at the airport, the couple waited in the queue before being told at the checkout that they would not be allowed to travel.
‘We just turned up and were waiting an hour in the queue,’ the couple told NottinghamshireLive.
‘I think we were about fourth from last and the girl on the checkout said to the other girl, can you check those dates.’
‘She checked and said no they can’t fly. Then a bloke came over, a supervisor or something, and he said our only alternative is to go to Jet2 and ask them if we can fly.’
The couple were also told that if they had departed for their holiday just days earlier they would have been allowed on the plane as their passports had only hit the 10-year mark on 13 May.
‘They said if we had gone on Saturday we would have been alright,’ the couple who attempted to board their flight on Tuesday the 16 May said.
UK government rules state anyone travelling to any EU country except for Ireland must have a passport that is newer than 10 years old
WHAT ARE THE UK’s PASSPORT RULES?
Any British citizen travelling to any EU country, except Ireland, must have a passport that is less than 10-years old.
Those travelling to countries including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City must also have a passport that is under 10-years old.
The rules apply, even if the traveler’s passports are still valid.
The more onerous rules were introduced in 2021, following Britain’s exit from the European Union.
The couple were later able to go on their holiday at a later date – but only after paying another £860 to fly with Jet2.
‘We paid another £860 and Jet2 looked into it and said we could go back with them and just fly one way with them, but then a supervisor came over,’ Ms Priestly said.
‘He also said we would lose the hotel if my husband didn’t ring up, so we had to ring the hotel up and tell them we were coming a day later.’
Taking the flight with a rival carrier also meant the couple lost their right to any airport transfers to their hotel.
Ms Priestly has now pledged to never fly with TUI again. ‘We will always use Jet 2 now, or even easyJet – they could fly us as well,’ she said.
Alongside EU countries, anyone travelling to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City must have a valid passport that was issued less than 10 years before the date they enter the country.
A TUI spokesperson said: ‘We’re sorry that Mr Priestly was unable to fly with TUI as planned as his passport did not meet the required government passport requirements.
‘Government rules state that for customers travelling to certain EU countries, passports must be issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country and must also be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.
‘We strongly advise that our customers check their passports are up to date before booking any flights. Details of passport validity guidelines can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice’
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