A couple missed out on their first holiday abroad since the start of the Covid pandemic after enduring passport hell at Newcastle Airport.
Dr Bob Banks was due to give a talk in Munich this week, after which he planned to travel onto Milan with his wife, Gillian, for a long overdue break.
As the couple prepared to board their KLM flight on Friday for the first leg of their journey, Swissport staff at the departure gate said Dr Banks' passport was invalid and wouldn't let him board the plane.
