A couple from Manchester saw their long-awaited birthday getaway to Tenerife abruptly cut short when Ryanair denied them boarding due to a passport problem. The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with the couple questioning the airline’s strict adherence to passport guidelines.
Abriella Monroe, 32, and her husband Sébastien, 36, had planned the trip to celebrate their birthdays, marking their first holiday abroad in six years.
The pair arrived at Manchester Airport with plenty of time to spare, smoothly checking in their luggage and Abriella’s wheelchair, as she is paraplegic.
All seemed well as they enjoyed airport shopping before proceeding to the boarding gate. However, their plans unravelled when Ryanair staff denied Sébastien entry after inspecting his passport.
According to the couple, the passport had a minor tear along the spine, but all details and the photograph were clearly legible. Despite their protests, Ryanair staff insisted the document did not meet the required standards, leaving the couple devastated.
Contradictory Opinions
After being turned away, the couple went through Border Force controls to leave the airport. Officers reportedly assured them the passport was valid for travel, adding to their frustration and confusion.
Abriella’s luggage and wheelchair were removed from the flight, forcing the couple to wait over an hour to retrieve their belongings. They now plan to file a formal complaint with Ryanair and renew Sébastien’s passport to prevent similar issues in the future.
Ryanair’s Defence
Ryanair has stood by its decision, citing UK Passport Office guidelines. The airline claimed the passport’s damage, particularly on the identification page and spine, rendered it invalid for travel.
Official rules deem a passport damaged if it has torn or missing pages, detached covers, holes, cuts, or stains that make data difficult to read.
Ryanair explained it follows these guidelines strictly to avoid travel disruptions, adding that countries may impose additional requirements. For example, South Africa mandates six months’ validity and blank pages in passports.
A Post-Brexit Reality
The case has highlighted the importance of Brits understanding passport regulations, particularly after Brexit. Passports must meet two key criteria to travel to EU countries:
The couple expressed disbelief at the ordeal, noting that Sébastien’s passport had been stored safely and showed no significant damage. They are now arranging a visit to Liverpool to renew the document before attempting another holiday.
Their experience serves as a cautionary tale for travellers to ensure their passports meet all applicable rules to avoid holiday heartbreak.
