EasyJet has issued a response after Vicky Pattison revealed she was barred from boarding a flight to Italy over breaking passport rules.
The former Geordie Shore star explained that she was due to visit her Italian wedding venue to sign off on the final touches prior to her September nuptials to fiancé Ercan Ramadan.
However, the 36-year-old was left in tears when she was denied boarding in Newcastle airport on Sunday after her dog had chewed and slightly damaged her passport, violating the airlines regulations.
Addressing the furore, a spokesperson for easyJet told The Standard on Monday: “We are sorry for Ms Pattison’s experience and the inconvenience caused.
“At easyJet, we work closely with the authorities and comply with their guidance to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and staff.
“As such, we cannot allow any passenger to travel on their planned flight with documentation damaged to such a degree that its authenticity is brought into question.
“It is the passenger’s responsibility to have suitable documentation for travel.”
Immediately after the ordeal, Pattison had taken to her social media to say she was on her way home to “cry”, writing on her Instagram Story: “Thought we were off to see our wedding venue today, we were so excited..
“I rushed back from Newcastle, packed at midnight last night and jumped into bed and got 3 hours sleep... But I didn't mind because we were going for our menu tasting @ercan_ram.
“Only to have the @easyiet staff turn me away.. I've been travelling with my passport all year and no one's said anything, but it's definitely well travelled to be fair Company policy is company policy and I get it, I'm just beyond gutted you know??
“My wedding planner, her assistant, my florist, everyone are all heading out... ... X And I'm just heading home... to have a really good cry I think.
“All the wasted money, how hard it was for me to get the time off, how excited we were, how I've wasted everyone's time.. I'm just really sad I think.”
Sharing a photo of her passport, she added: “This is what was wrong with my passport for everyone asking, in fairness, I don't know if that is really bad or not, I've just not had anyone ever tell me it was before.. cheeky little milo butt.
“Think rather than waste my glam, I'm going to take some new passport pictures, then cry...”
Sharing an update in the wake of the travel furore, Pattison revealed she was choosing to see the positive and was just glad it didn’t happen as she was travelling out for their wedding.
Alongside a photo of her dogs, she wrote on her Instagram Story: “So I know today didn't work out how we planned and I'm sad about missing Italy and stuff.
“But I truly believe everything happens for a reason... and I was obviously just not meant to go. Or I was REALLY meant to get a new passport.
“I mean. imagine if they turned me away for my hen. Or my wedding even. Not worth even thinking about that.
“And you know. Italy would have been brilliant but I wouldn't be snuggling up with my sons watching Hercules and eating Haribos and this reality is pretty special too.
“Thank you so much for all your lovely messages today. I reckon more than anything, I was just knackered and shocked.
“But as always your kind words (and some spicy ones for EasyJet) really make me feel better. You're all unreal.”
