I was banned from my flight due to easy passport mistake – I lost £1,050 and it could happen to you too
A WOMAN was banned from her flight because of an easy passport mistake.
Kirsty Hawes and her friend were flying from London Luton Airport to Majorca with TUI.
Kirsty, who had spent £1,050 on her all-inclusive holiday to the Spanish island, was turned away at the bag drop after being told her passport had expired.
This was because her passport was 10 years and a day old.
New passport rules no longer allow Brits to use any additional months on their passports over the 10 years.
The 28-year-old from Hertfordshire said that she "had no idea" of this rule.
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While she said it wasn't made clear at the time of booking, she had admitted it was in the small print on a confirmation email.
Ms Hawes has been told she can't get a refund, but wants to make others aware of the new rule.
She told South West News Service: "They took our passports and said you can't fly. I thought it was a joke, but they were serious, and said my passport was out of date.
"I said 'No it's not - it doesn't run out for seven months'. I was panicking and burst into tears. This was the one thing I was looking forward to all year."
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"They said you can't fly and can't get your money back."
Following a break-up and several deaths in the family, Kirsty splashed out on the all-inclusive trip after she received a promotion.
While she attempted to get a temporary passport, the earliest appointment slots in London were in two weeks' time.
Kirsty added: "I was in the middle of the airport crying my eyes out."
She managed to convince her friend to go out alone but is "distraught" that she has had to miss out.
She wants travel providers to change their booking pages to include the date of issue for the passport in a bid to flag any expired passports.
Kirsty has attempted to complain to TUI, but has been told it has to be issued under the lead passenger.
She said: "I have been told that TUI will not give my money back as it is in terms of conditions, which was right at the bottom of the email. It was not easy to find and it was written in small print."
Her insurance provider was unable to help and told her to contact TUI.
She said: "I'm not going to get my money back, and I can't afford another holiday."
Kirsty hopes travel providers will make guidance around the new rules clearer.
She added: "Holiday companies need to add an issue date of passport onto their websites, so people are not left stranded at the airport, crying their eyes out."
Sun Online Travel have approached TUI for comment.
The confusing new rules have caught out a number of holidaymakers.
Earlier this year, teacher Rosie Simpson was banned from boarding her flight to Paris for a similar reason.
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She told : “I had no idea of the 10-year rule. I’d checked the expiry date, and my passport had eight months remaining. What happened at the boarding gate was absolutely awful."
And even travel journalist Jenny Southan made the same mistake, and was left £700 out of pocket after being stopped from travelling.
