Unfortunately Vicky Pattison’s experience with not being allowed to fly due to her damaged passport is a fairly common occurrence as airlines have a duty to be vigilant when it comes to checking travel documentation.
The TV star was turned away from an Easyjet flight at the weekend – due to her dog chewing her document.
Airlines are also greatly influenced by severe financial penalties that are levied against them if they allow a passenger to travel with incorrect or invalid travel documentation.
And for this reason you will often find an airline takes an overly cautious approach, so it’s important to understand your rights in these situations.
The UK Government defines a ‘damaged passport’ as one that is not in a condition to be accepted as proof of identity.
TV star Vicky Pattison took to social media after easyJet refused to let her fly because her passport was damaged
If, like Vicky, you find your passport is lost, stolen or damaged when you get to the airport… there is not much you can do if you are at a UK airport for an outbound journey, says Dean
It lists examples as the details in the passport being indecipherable, the laminate lifting enough to allow the possibility of replacing the photo, discolouration to the bio-data page, chemical or ink spillage on any page, missing or detached pages, the chip or antenna showing through the end paper on the back cover for the new style e-passports and a damaged chip.
HM Passport Office specifically states that normal wear and tear is expected and should not count as ‘damage’. I’ve heard many stories where passengers have been denied boarding due to a damaged passport but on further investigation it transpired the damage was not sufficient to invalidate it.
It is therefore always worth questioning the airline as to why your damaged passport cannot be used as proof of your identity, especially if you feel it does not fall within one of the issues listed above.
I should say however, whilst your passport may look in reasonable condition, the real test is of course whether the passport scanning tech at the airport can read it.
If, despite your best efforts, you are denied boarding, you should consider making a claim for compensation via one of the two approved alternative dispute resolution schemes (CEDR or AviationADR) or if it was a package holiday, via ABTA.
If, like Vicky, you find your passport is lost, stolen or damaged when you get to the airport, aside from arguing a damaged passport is still valid, there is not much you can do if you are at a UK airport for an outbound journey. Your only option in these circumstances is to abandon your travel plans and apply for a new passport.
However, if you find yourself in this situation overseas during your return travel, you can apply for an ‘Emergency Travel document’ by filing out an application on the official government website: https://www.apply-emergency-travel-document.service.gov.uk/ or by making an appointment at the local British Embassy.
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
