Passport rules: 'Escorted through the airport like a criminal'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68677938
Jane Opher, 61, in London, said she was "traumatised" after being told she and her partner couldn't board their flight to Barcelona at Gatwick in February, even though they'd checked in online.
"I was just saying to my partner that I must renew my passport soon, as we walked along the bridge to get to the boarding gate. It was very stressful and humiliating to have to be escorted back through the airport like a criminal," she said.
Jane, who used to live in Barcelona and was travelling to see friends, was left hundreds of pounds out of pocket after having to rearrange the trip with her partner.
The architect spent about £400 on last minute replacement flights and a fast tracked passport.
She says the issue with her passport was "a technicality" the airlines should be able to deal with.
"I feel lucky I was going on holiday and it wasn't an urgent visit like a funeral.
"As someone who used to live in Spain, I feel angry that I cannot go to Spain as easily as I used to," she added.
John, 73, a healthcare worker based near Portsmouth, was due to fly to Tenerife in January for a New Year break with friends. He only found out at the last minute that his wife's passport "fell foul of the 10-year rule".
He called the rule "ridiculous", saying there were no warnings and zero interest from the company they booked with.
"We lost the whole lot after booking through TUI. They organise the flights and hotel. That's it. You lose the lot because you can't get on the plane. It's nothing more than a trick.
"The total burden of this issue falls on the individual holidaymaker. The travel company have got your money, they can pay off the airline and hotel, who may be able to resell the plane tickets and the accommodation, but even if they can't, they're quids in.
"The travel company get their cut too, so there's no incentive on anyone to redress this unfair, illogical ruling," John said.
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If only people were warned this could happen...