British holidaymakers are being cautioned about a little-known passport rule that could result in being turned away at the airport gate. This rule pertains to the condition of a passport—damage to which could raise concerns about its validity and potentially prevent travel.
Travellers are advised to maintain their passports in top condition, as authorities may hold you at the airport for further questioning if they suspect the passport is damaged, even if you’ve already reached your destination. While minor scuffs and bent pages are generally acceptable, it is crucial to avoid adding novelty stamps or stickers, which could cause delays.
According to the UK Passport Office, a passport is considered damaged if “you cannot read any of your details, any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing, there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover, the cover is coming away or there are stains on the pages, for example, ink or water damage.
One recent example involved Laila March, 25, a private tutor from Croydon, south London, who was blocked from her original TUI flight to Cancun, Mexico, due to a “slight mark” on her passport. Laila, who booked the holiday to celebrate her sister Kaemarnie’s graduation, arrived at Gatwick Airport on June 7, only to be told she could not board the plane because her passport was damaged.
Despite using her passport regularly for work and having just flown back from Morocco the day before, Laila was informed she couldn’t board the TUI flight due to the small stain on the top right of her picture page. After waiting 45 minutes, she was given three options: apply for an emergency passport and travel later, change the name on her booking, or try another airline.
Laila decided to try British Airways, which had “no issue” with her passport and allowed her to fly. She purchased a last-minute ticket for £1,200 and cleared customs in Mexico without further problems. Although the extra expense put a dent in her savings, which she planned to use for her postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, TUI eventually agreed to reimburse her after initially closing her case.
The UK Passport Office website clearly outlines the criteria for a damaged passport, stressing the importance of keeping it in good condition to avoid travel disruptions.
More news from Cambridge
