A leading European airline has been turning people with still valid British passports away, it has been reported.
It is claimed that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has blocked passengers with travel documents that are still suitable for flying under EU rules.
One man says he lost out on a £3,000 trip after being blocked from flying from the UK to the Netherlands for an important conference.
British passports must have been issued less than 10 years ago on the day of entry to the EU country, and must be valid for at least three months after the intended date of return from the EU.
Have you been turned away due to issues with your passport? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
KLM says it regards British passports as expiring after 10 years even if the actual expiry date is months later, the Independent reports.
There has been some confusion since the UK left the bloc, as issue and expiry dates are different on many people's passports, meaning many people have been wrongly stopped from travelling.
Robert Banks claims he fell foul of this policy when he was stopped from flying from Newcastle to Amsterdam on July 22.
His passport was issued on August 8, 2012 and expires on April 8, 2023, meaning he should've been able to travel to EU countries up until August 7.
Dr Banks reportedly applied for compensation after paying £3,000 for flights and a hotel for his wife and himself.
“Our experience on my being denied boarding can only be described as devastating, especially as we were sure, having checked and double-checked the requirements, that my passport was valid," he told the Independent.
When asked about the decision, KLM said that the customer was not allowed to board because he did not "fulfil the necessary entry requirements."
The airline urged passengers to check the flight requirements before travelling.
It's not the first time that post-Brexit passport issues have caused confusion between airlines and passengers, with many Brits having had holidays ruined this summer.
Rachael Delaney walked out of Leeds-Bradford Airport in tears earlier this year after a member of Ryanair's staff wouldn't allow her onto the plane.
However, Rachael soon learned that her travel documents were in fact valid for travel to Spain, as Jet2 offered her a space on one of its flights.
Ryanair later apologised to the mum.
Meanwhile, one mum and her two kids were marched out of the airport after they were blocked from an easyJet flight - despite all their paperwork being within date.
Nicci Lou's children had to leave Gatwick Airport thoroughly miserable and the way they came in following the passport rejection, which came despite their documents being in order.
At the time easyJet said: “easyJet follows current government rules on passport validity, as set out by governments where we operate.
"As her passport was unfortunately not valid for her flight, we were unable to allow her to travel on this occasion. We remind customers during booking and before they travel via email to ensure they are aware of the travel requirements for the destination they are flying to and it is customers’ responsibility to ensure they have the correct valid documentation for travel.”
KLM has been contacted for comment.
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