Passport warning as Mum banned from flight after airline WRONGLY says it is out of date
A MUM was banned from her flight after she was told her passport was out of date - even though it wasn't.
Clarice Easson was flying to Cyprus with her husband Alan with easyJet when she was told she needed at least six months left on her passport, which they claimed was not the case.
However, this is contrary to the EU rules, which only require an additional three months.
Her passport, which was issued on January 12, 2012, has an expiry date of June 2022 - meaning it had more than the three months validity needed.
Her son David told : "Mum was denied entry and told that they had experience of customers being turned around directly at Paphos airport.
“The staff member said she had denied several people at the gate before.”
They were offered three-quarters of their £360 in vouchers by the airline as compensation.
EasyJet told Sun Online Travel: "While this is not a significant issue we’ve been seeing, we are sorry that the couple were unable to travel on this occasion.
"The position of the UK HMPO has been that any extra months over the 10 year period, for those that renewed their passports early, may not count towards the minimum period required and so our gate agent was following this advice.
"The HMPO last week informed us that they will be changing their guidance having been made aware of the updated EC guidance on passport validity, which allows for extra months to count.
"We are waiting to receive official details of the change so we will be able to align with the new position of HMPO, reflecting the EC guidance."
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The confusion is due to the other new rules regarding the length of passport allowed - with Brits no longer able to have passports which have more than 10 years left on them.
Previously, Brits were able to roll over nine months from their previous passport, taking them to 10 years and 9 months - but the new rules no longer allow the additional months.
Yet an EU spokesperson told the newspaper that the two rules do not have to work in conjunction with each other, and that the extra months can be used for travel.
For example, someone with a passport issued in November 2011, which has an expiry date in May 2022, could still travel to the EU until November 2021 on the passport, and stay for up to 90 days.
An EU spokesperson said: “The condition that the passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years does not extend for the duration of the intended stay. It is enough if this condition is fulfilled at the moment of entry."
In recent months, passengers have been stopped from boarding their flights after their passports didn't meet both of these rules.
Passenger Abi Campbell was stopped from boarding her flight back earlier this year from to Glasgow from Tenerife after being told her passport was not valid.
Despite expiring in May 2022, the issue date was August 2011 - and was told it was only valid up to August 2021.
And a woman was banned from entering Spain as she didn't have an exit stamp in her passport - leading them to think she overstayed her visit.
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Air passenger rights mean travellers can claim up to £350 if denied boarding, as well as a full refund of their flights - meaning potentially thousands of pounds.
We've explained your holiday rights including how to claim a refund.
