A holidaymaker from Birmingham has told how she was barred from a Ryanair flight to Lanzarote because of a small rip in her passport. Rachael Norton-Voysey, 33, was due to fly from Birmingham Airport on 4 June for a five-day break with a friend when staff at the boarding gate refused to let her travel.
Ms Norton-Voysey said the rip, measuring about 1.5cm on the photo page, did not obscure any details. Despite this, Ryanair staff deemed the passport damaged and would not allow her to board. Her friend chose to stay with her, and both returned home by train.
She said: 'It was gutting for us both. That feeling where your stomach just drops knowing we wouldn't be going on holiday at that point.' The UK Government website warns that any ripped passport is considered damaged and must be replaced, as it may not be accepted for travel.
Ms Norton-Voysey admitted she had not checked her passport before the trip and had used it for eight years. She now urges others to inspect their passports carefully and invest in a protective holder. The pair hope to rearrange their holiday for September.
A Ryanair spokesperson said: 'This passenger was correctly refused travel from Birmingham to Lanzarote as her passport was damaged and therefore not valid for travel.'
