Passport Rip Leads to Holiday Heartbreak at Manchester Airport
A holidaymaker from West Yorkshire has described feeling "gobsmacked and heartbroken" after being denied boarding her flight due to a minor rip in her passport, resulting in the loss of an £820 holiday. Donna Fairclough, 42, was set to travel from Manchester Airport to Malta with her fiancé Gary Broadley, 55, on January 3rd, but the trip was abruptly cancelled before she even reached security.
The Incident at Check-In
Donna, a pub landlord, recounted the moment her travel plans unravelled. "We got to Manchester Airport and printed off our labels for our bags. We walked round to the baggage check-in desk and she asked for our passports and boarding passes," she said. "I gave them mine and she said 'one second'. Jokingly my partner said, 'What have you done?'" The easyJet staff member returned to inform Donna that she could not fly because her passport was damaged, leaving her stunned.
She emphasised that the rip was initially only about a quarter-of-an-inch long and located above the photo page, not affecting her picture or passport number. "The rip wasn't as bad as it looks in the photo. At the time, it was a tiny rip above the picture," Donna claimed, noting that she had used the same passport for a trip to Tenerife last year without issue. However, photos later showed the tear had expanded to cover around half of the photo page, though critical details remained intact.
Strict Guidelines and Financial Loss
EasyJet explained that they follow authorities' guidelines and cannot allow anyone to travel with damaged documentation. A spokesperson stated: "We're sorry to hear that Ms Fairclough was not able to go on her holiday due to her passport being damaged, and we understand how disappointing this must have been. Our airline works closely with the authorities and complies with their guidance to ensure the safety and security of customers and crew."
Despite this, Donna and Gary were left with no choice but to drive home, missing their holiday entirely. They contacted easyJet for a refund but were told the rip constituted "accidental damage," which did not qualify for reimbursement under their policies. Donna described the experience as "heartbreaking" and urged others to check their passports thoroughly before travelling. "I would tell people to thoroughly check through. Even if it's a little rip or a little crease. Anything they might think might stop you from flying," she advised.
Official Warnings and Moving Forward
The UK Government's website clearly warns that any passport with a rip is considered damaged and should be replaced, as it may not be accepted for travel. "A damaged passport is one which the customer cannot use as proof of identity because of its condition," it states, underscoring the importance of maintaining travel documents in pristine condition.
Since the ordeal, Donna has obtained a new passport and is planning a trip to Thailand in April. EasyJet has offered further support, hoping to take her on holiday soon. This incident serves as a stark reminder for travellers to inspect their passports well in advance of any journey to avoid similar disruptions and financial losses.
