A couple from Hertfordshire faced heartbreak when they were turned away at the airport due to a lesser-known Brexit passport rule, despite spending £1,000 on their trip.
A couple from Hertfordshire were turned away at an airport and denied boarding due to a lesser-known Brexit regulation concerning passport validity, despite investing around £1,000 in a planned three-day trip to Athens, Greece. Paul Mason, aged 59, and his partner Zoe Rooney, aged 47, intended to travel for a concert, but encountered complications just minutes before boarding.
The issue was linked to a 10-year passport validity rule, which stipulates that passports must not only be issued within the last 10 years but also must have a minimum of three months’ validity beyond the date of return. This rule applies to all EU countries, including Greece, but notably excludes Ireland.
Paul described their experience as making them “feel like criminals.” He recounted that when they booked their flights online, there were no warnings about Zoe’s passport validity, and both had passed check-in and security checks before being stopped at the gate. The realisation of the problem only came when they were on the brink of boarding their flight.
Zoe’s passport, issued on November 19, 2014, is set to expire on August 9, 2025. Reflecting on the situation, she expressed her embarrassment, stating, “I had no idea about the rule.”
In a response to the incident, a spokesperson from Ryanair clarified that the airline must adhere to regulations set by the European Commission Migration and Home Affairs Office. They noted, “Passports must meet the requirements for travel from the UK to the EU…and it is each passenger’s responsibility to ensure that their passport is valid for travel in line with the relevant State requirements at the time of travel.” The spokesperson added that these requirements are clearly outlined on Ryanair’s website, and passengers receive reminders during the booking process through pop-up messages.
The situation highlights an important aspect of international travel regulations following Brexit, where travellers may find themselves unprepared if they are unaware of specific passport requirements.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.titantravel.co.uk/blogs/the-new-eu-passport-rules-you-need-to-know – This URL supports the claim about the 10-year passport rule and the requirement for at least three months’ validity beyond the return date for travel within the EU.
- https://travelplaces.co.uk/ten-year-uk-passport-rule-explained/ – This URL explains the 10-year passport rule, which applies to EU countries excluding Ireland, and highlights the need for passports to be issued less than 10 years before travel.
- https://www.postoffice.co.uk/identity/guides/uk-passport-validity-checker – This URL provides information on passport validity rules for various countries, including the EU, and emphasizes the importance of checking passport validity before travel.
- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements – This URL would provide specific entry requirements for Greece, including passport validity rules, which are relevant to the couple’s situation.
- https://www.ryanair.com/en/ie/travel-documents – This URL would support the claim that Ryanair outlines passport requirements on their website, as mentioned by the spokesperson.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be recent, focusing on Brexit regulations that are still relevant. However, without a specific date or comparison to older articles, it’s difficult to confirm if this is entirely new information.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quotes from Paul Mason and Zoe Rooney do not appear to be widely referenced online, suggesting they might be original. However, without further verification, it’s uncertain if these are the first instances of these quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a local news outlet, which may not have the same level of international recognition as major news agencies like the BBC or Reuters. However, it is still a known publication.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The situation described is plausible given the known Brexit regulations affecting passport validity for travel to EU countries. The details align with current travel requirements.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative seems plausible and recent, focusing on relevant Brexit regulations. While the source is not a major international outlet, the information aligns with known travel requirements. However, the originality of the quotes and the freshness of the content could not be fully verified.
