A mum was banned from boarding an easyJet flight with her family and was left £700 out of pocket after being caught out by a crucial passport rule. ✈️
Bolaji Omisade, 35, was filled with excitement as she headed to Gatwick Airport with her husband and three sons ahead of their family holiday to Greece.
But on arrival at the airport, she was told by easyJet staff that she wouldn’t be allowed to board the plane. ????
Confused by the situation, the social worker from Rainham in Essex was told at check-in that while her passport had not expired, it had been issued more than 10 years earlier, meaning it did not meet EU entry requirements. ❗
“Until that moment, I had absolutely no idea this rule existed,” Bolaji said.
All UK passports must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of entry when travelling to most European countries under post-Brexit travel rules. Bolaji checked that her passport hadn’t expired before heading to the airport, but wasn’t aware of the crucial rule regarding the issue date.
It was a devastating moment for Bolaji as the reality of not being able to go on holiday with her husband and their three sons hit home. “I had to hold back my emotions because my children were watching everything unfold,” she said. “As a parent, that was one of the hardest parts. They were so disappointed.” ????
With no refund option and their planned departure time approaching, the family decided that Bolaji would return home with their youngest son, while her husband and two older boys would board the easyJet flight to Greece.
In an attempt to salvage the holiday, Bolaji swiftly booked an appointment to secure a new passport. Bolaji was finally issued a fresh passport, and she booked new flights.
Bolaji and her youngest son joined the rest of the family in Greece on Thursday, but it meant they had only two days left of the holiday before flying home on Saturday.
●The Mirror
