People have been booking cheap flights that they don't plan to take in a bid to be bumped up the queue for a new passport. Those applying can ask for an 'upgrade' to priority processing for £102 if they can prove they are flying within 14 days.
However, one expert has warned that HM Passport Office has got wise to the ruse, reports BirminghamLive.
Andy Anderson, who runs the independent Passport Waiting Time website, told the Mail on Sunday: "It’s something I have definitely seen people doing. The Passport Office has started to ask for information about when people booked the flight as they’re getting wise to it.
"But there’s still so much inconsistency – it is working for some people but not for others. There just aren’t enough appointments and people are really struggling to book them.
"Even if you do qualify for an upgrade, you may be unable to secure an appointment to get your passport. I think we could definitely see worse to come, especially with the approach of the school holidays."
The Passport Office said staff were processing around 250,000 applications a week, with 98.5% completed within 10 weeks. UK passengers can "upgrade" to high priority for £102, but they need to prove they need a passport within the next 14 days.
