Our holiday to Corfu was ruined after easyJet refused to let us board the flight

A MUM has said a family holiday to Corfu was ruined after easyJet refused to let them board their flight.

Nicci Lou, 43, and her two kids were left heartbroken after being escorted out of Gatwick Airport even though their paperwork was still in date.

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The family had hoped to fly to the Greek island, their first holiday since the Covid pandemic, to celebrate Nicci’s divorce.

But their plans were scuppered when boarding gate staff told her she couldn’t fly because Nicci’s passport was too close to expiring, even though it was still in date.

Under post-Brexit rules, countries require passports to be valid for at least three – or sometimes six – months after your dates of travel.

The mum and her two children were in tears after being turned away and were told to go to the information desk for help.

However, when she got there she was escorted out of the building by two security staff.

Nicci told The Mirror: “I made a mistake and I didn’t know about the three months from the date you get back rule. The problem I have is I had got as far as the gates, almost to the airplane, before they said no.

“Then they told us to go to the information desk. They were trying to get rid of me and my crying children. The information desk said they were nothing to do with the flight and there was no supervisor.

“They escorted us out of the airport, one in front, one behind.

“I had to walk through passport control as my children cried. Then we were left outside by the gates of the airport.

“I shouldn’t have got to the doors of the plane to be frogmarched out like an illegal immigrant.”

Nicci said she had scanned their passport five days ahead of time and all was well until they approached the boarding desk and were told they were not allowed on the plane.

Although she is kicking herself for making the error with her passport, she was stunned that easyJet didn’t warn her of the issue ahead of time.

“All I want the airline to tell me is If their technology, as a digital airline, does not allow their app to check the details of the passport are they going to add a pop-up?” she asked.

“Something that will allow people to know that the boarding pass does not mean they have access to the aircraft.

“Something that preferably shares the ‘average’ passport requirements. So other people, other young children, don’t go through this.”

An easyJet spokesperson 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.”

The news comes after families were urged not to book holidays until they have new passports.

As many as 9.5 million passport applications are expected to be made this year, after millions expired during the pandemic.

This had led to many families waiting much longer than the recommended 5-6 weeks to get their passports back.

The government has since warned that Brits should not book holidays until they have their passports back – as they have different numbers.