Couple refused from TUI flight because their passports were 10 years old
Heading to the airport can bring a lot of stresses, there is no doubt about that.
While it may be something you've been looking forward to all year, it is not always plain sailing for some passengers.
A Nottingham couple know all about that, as they were left hundreds of pounds out of pocked after a passport problem.
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Penny Priestly, 59, and her husband Dug went to East Midlands Airport on 16 May ready for a ten-day holiday in Benidorm.
They opted to go with the airline TUI for a £1,800 package holiday.
However, couple were shocked to discover at the airport they could not fly to sunny Spain because of the age of their passports.
"We just turned up and were waiting an hour in the queue, I think we were about fourth from last and the girl on the checkout said to the other girl, can you check those dates," Penny said.
"She checked and said no they can't fly. Then a bloke came over, a supervisor or something, and he said our only alternative is to go to Jet2 and ask them if we can fly."
After being refused by TUI they went to Jet2, who it was suggested that they could fly out with, but then return on their initial flights with TUI.
However, the couple claim TUI wouldn't allow this, with airport staff apparently going on to tell them they would have been fine to board if they had started their holiday just three days earlier.
Both Penny and Dug's passports expire in February 2024, which is nine months after the holiday they had planned. Though13 May marked the ten-year anniversary of the couple's passports being issued.
"We paid another £860 and Jet2 looked into it and said we could go back with them and just fly one way with them, but then a supervisor came over," Penny continued.
"He also said we would lose the hotel if my husband didn't ring up, so we had to ring the hotel up and tell them we were coming a day later."
Jet2 unfortunately couldn't fly the couple out to Benidorm until the next day, which meant they lost their transfers between the hotel and airport.
The couple say there were not aware of TUI's policy, adding they will 'never ever' fly with the airline again.
A spokesperson for TUI said: "We’re sorry that Mr Priestly was unable to fly with TUI as planned as his passport did not meet the required government passport guidelines.
"Government rules state that for customers travelling to certain EU countries, passports must be issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country and must also be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.
"We strongly advise that our customers check their passports are up to date before booking any flights."
The LADbible Group has reached out to TUI for comment.
Callum Jones