A newlywed couple saw their honeymoon ruined after a passport rule change meant the groom could not board a flight to Santorini, NottinghamshireLive reports. Christian Young, 49, and his wife Emily, 54, had their hearts set on a romantic break on the Greek island when they headed to East Midlands Airport last Thursday.
But their hopes were dashed at the airport check-in when Mr Young was told he couldn't fly.
According to gov.uk, for Brits travelling to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, passports must be issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country, and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. Some reports advise for six months to be on the safe side.
Mr Young's passport expires in December 2022, but the issue date was April 2012 meaning it passes its 10-year deadline. Mr Young, a lorry driver from Melbourne, Derbyshire, said: "A woman and a guy came to us and told me that I cannot fly. They told us to leave the airport." He was not familiar with the rule.
He said: "Even if I knew about it I could not fly and that is where the problem is. It can take up to 10 weeks to get a new passport, and this rule was introduced recently, almost overnight. There was no grace, I was just told a flat no and then we were told to leave the airport. I am so very disappointed - my wife has not been away in six years."
The couple, who met on dating app Bumble in September last year and married in April, had spent £2,000 on their honeymoon. They are hoping to recoup some of the cash - although their insurance does not cover a passport rule change.
Mr Young said: "There is the financial aspect, but also the fact that I will not be able to book time off work anymore this summer. I booked off 10 days for this only to be told that I cannot go. It is ridiculous and disappointing. It completely ruined our honeymoon. It just seems like it came out of the blue and there is nothing we can do about it."
A spokesperson for tour operator TUI said: "We’re sorry to hear of Mr Young’s experience and understand his disappointment that he was unable to go on his honeymoon as planned. As we advised him about the changes to passport validity rules and reminded him to check his passport at the time of booking, and again on his booking confirmation, our normal terms and conditions apply.
"We have advised Mr Young to reach out to his travel insurance provider and have offered a gesture of goodwill if they are unable to support."
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