Couple denied boarding to Tenerife by Ryanair over obscure passport rule

Posted by author January 14, 2025 Travel

Abriella Monroe, 32, and her husband Sébastien, 36, had planned the trip to Tenerife to celebrate their birthdays. It was their first holiday abroad in six years.

The couple from Manchester, however, had their long-awaited getaway abruptly cut short when Ryanair denied them boarding due to a passport problem that many Brits will also have no idea about.

The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with the couple questioning the airline’s strict adherence to passport guidelines.

The journey through Manchester Airport went without a hitch. They smoothly checked in their luggage and Abriella’s wheelchair – as she is paraplegic – and enjoyed airport shopping before proceeding to the boarding gate.

The issue arose, however, when it came to Sébastien’s passport being inspected by Ryanair staff.

According to the couple, the passport had a minor tear along the spine, but all details and the photograph were clearly legible, Canarian Weekly reported.

Despite their protests, Ryanair staff insisted the document did not meet the required standards and the couple were turned away.

Adding to their frustration, as the couple went back through Border Force to leave the airport, officers reportedly assured them the passport was actually valid for travel. They also had to wait over an hour for their luggage and Abriella’s wheelchair to be removed from the flight.

The couple have now filed a complaint with Ryanair and renewed Sébastien’s passport to prevent similar issues in the future.

Express.co.uk contacted Ryanair and a spokesperson stood by the decision, saying: “The UK Passport Office defines what constitutes as a damaged passport, not Ryanair.

“This passenger was correctly refused travel from Manchester to Tenerife (8 Jan) as his passport was damaged [ripped on the identification page at the seam and across the page] and therefore not valid for travel.”

On the gov.uk website, it states: “If your passport is damaged you must replace it. You may not be able to travel with it.

“HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if: you cannot read any of your details, any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing, there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover, the cover is coming away, or, there are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage).”

Ryanair explained it follows these guidelines strictly to avoid travel disruptions, adding that countries may impose additional requirements. South Africa, for example, mandates six months’ validity and blank pages in passports.

Abriella and Sébastien are now arranging a visit to Liverpool to renew the document before attempting another holiday.

Their experience is a travel warning to Brits to ensure their passports meet all applicable rules to avoid your holiday being over before it has even begun.