If you lose your passport at the airport, the first step is to retrace your steps, according to travel experts. Becky Theriault, Scandinavia travel specialist at The Luxury Holiday Company, said passports are often misplaced rather than permanently lost, so it is worth carefully retracing your route through the airport.
Common places passports get left behind
Theriault said common places documents are left behind include security trays, airport lounges, restaurants, shops and gate seating areas. She added that many airports have dedicated lost property teams, while security staff and airline representatives may be able to help locate a passport if it has been handed in.
She said: "The sooner the relevant teams are notified, the greater the chance of recovering the passport before departure." Theriault also noted that one of the biggest misconceptions travellers have is that losing a passport at the airport automatically means their holiday is over. In reality, a misplaced passport and a permanently lost passport are very different situations, and the outcome will depend on how quickly the issue is identified and reported.
What to do if you cannot find it
If retracing your steps does not help, the next step is to speak to your airline. Harry Deacon, a travel expert at esim company Holafly, said: "If you cannot recover your missing passport, you must go to the airline's check-in counter or gate desk as well as to airport security or the police."
He added that most airports have a substation of their respective national police on-site, and for an official report for travel needs to continue, you will usually be required to obtain one from a security official or police officer.
Can you board without a passport?
In most cases, the answer is no, but there are exceptions. Richard Young, travel expert and owner of selfcatering.co.uk, said: "Checking in doesn't remove the requirement to have the correct physical travel document when you board. The airline can check your passport again at the gate and, if you cannot produce the document required for your destination, you will normally be refused boarding."
He noted that on a UK domestic flight, a passport is not necessarily required at all, so it is best to check with the airline first.
How to report a lost passport
If you believe your passport is gone forever, it must be reported as lost. Alex Trimis, CEO and co-founder of Welcome Pickups, said: "Once a UK passport is reported lost, it is cancelled and cannot be used for travel, so don't rush this decision. However, it is advised to cancel a lost or stolen passport as soon as you're sure it's definitely lost to reduce the risk of anyone using your passport or identity."
You can report a passport as lost or stolen on the government website, and you will need a phone number to do so. You can report it yourself, or someone else can do it for you.
Having a copy of your passport to hand at all times, such as a scan or a picture on your phone, could make the process easier. LP Maurice, travel expert and CEO of Busbud, said: "When travelling, I always advise keeping a copy of your passport somewhere separate from the original. It can also be useful to have a secure digital copy. A copy will not replace the passport at the airport, but it can help confirm your identity if something goes wrong."
Losing a passport can mean changing your plans or missing a flight, but acting quickly, speaking to the right people and having copies of your important documents can make a difficult situation much easier to manage.
