Holidaymaker’s passport warning as Ryanair refuse flight

Rachael Norton-Voysey, 33, from Erdington, Birmingham, was stopped from boarding her Ryanair flight from Birmingham Airport to Lanzarote on June 4 because of a small 1.5cm rip in her passport.

She described the experience as “gutting,” stating the damage did not affect any of the passport’s details or photograph.

Ms Norton-Voysey said: “It was gutting for us both.

Holidaymaker’s passport warning as Ryanair refuse flight over ‘tiny’ rip (Image: Kennedy News and Media)

“We got to the gate and handed in my passport at that point to get onto the plane and he said it was ripped and they wouldn’t let us through.

“It was horrible.

“That feeling where your stomach just drops knowing we wouldn’t be going on holiday at that point.

“There’s no arguing with them once they do that.”

Despite the fact her friend could have boarded the flight alone, she chose not to travel without Ms Norton-Voysey, and the pair instead returned home together.

Ms Norton-Voysey said: “We had to sit there and wait for them to finish boarding and then they escorted us out.

“We had to watch everyone get onto the flight.

“I was completely shocked as I’ve travelled on [this passport] for ages.

“It’s a tiny rip really.

“It’s not on any of the details and it doesn’t obscure anything.”

The rip was along the right side of the photo page, but did not pass through any personal information.

She said: “I understand where they’re coming from but it is really petty in my opinion.

“Even when they took us back through immigration to the airport, even the immigration [staff member] said it was harsh.”

According to the UK government, passports with rips or tears are considered “damaged” and should be replaced, as they may not be accepted by airlines or border control.

The UK Government website warns: “If your passport is damaged you must replace it.

“You may not be able to travel with it.”

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “This passenger was correctly refused travel from Birmingham to Lanzarote (4 Jun) as her passport was damaged and therefore not valid for travel.”

Ms Norton-Voysey said she has used the same passport for previous trips without issue and believes the damage may have occurred during a past holiday.

She said: “I’ve had the passport for eight years and don’t know when the rip happened.

“I think it might’ve happened when I was abroad before, hence why I just never thought of it because I managed to get home fine and I didn’t think about it until I went abroad again.

“I should’ve thought about it but I never did.”

The 33-year-old hopes her story serves as a warning to other travellers about the importance of checking their travel documents well in advance.

She said: “When I get my new passport I’m going to be locking it away and getting one of those new passport holders.

“Everyone should get a passport holder.

“Check your passport well before you’re going to travel, put it in a case and get travel insurance because we also didn’t have travel insurance which could’ve saved us a bit.

“Everyone should check their passports because it might be fine nine times out of 10 but that one time might ruin a holiday.”

Despite the disappointment, Ms Norton-Voysey and her friend are hoping to finally fly to Lanzarote in September after they managed to rearrange their AirBnB stay.

She has since filed a complaint with Ryanair, describing the refusal as “a little bit mean” and calling for greater consistency in how damaged passports are assessed.

Her experience is a reminder to travellers to carefully inspect their passports before travel, as even minor damage can lead to denied boarding and ruined plans.