A traveler was removed from a Ryanair flight prior to her £700 Lanzarote vacation due to a strict rule. Rachael Norton-Voysey, aged 33, was heading to Lanzarote from Birmingham Airport for a five-day trip on June 4, 2026. Upon reaching the boarding gate, she was informed by Ryanair staff that she couldn’t fly due to a small 1.5cm tear in her passport. Despite the tear not obstructing any critical information, the airline staff refused to allow her to board, leading to both her and her friend missing the trip and taking a disappointing train ride back home.
The UK Government emphasizes that any ripped passport is considered damaged and should be replaced to avoid travel disruptions. Rachael is now advocating for travelers to regularly check their passports for damages and consider using passport holders. She recounted the disheartening experience of being denied boarding and hopes her story will prevent others from facing a similar situation.
Although the trip was canceled, Rachael and her friend have rescheduled their journey for September, ensuring their AirBnB stay remains intact. Rachael expressed her disappointment with the situation and plans to secure a new passport and invest in a passport holder for future travels. She advises all travelers to scrutinize their passports before trips, safeguard them in cases, and acquire travel insurance to avoid unforeseen setbacks.
Ryanair defended their decision, stating that the passenger was correctly refused travel due to her damaged passport. The airline’s stance aligns with the UK Government’s guidelines, which state that damaged passports should be replaced to ensure hassle-free travel.