Passport Doodle Forces Last-Minute Flight Change
A Malaysian traveller had to change her work trip plans after discovering that her young son had drawn a dinosaur inside her passport shortly before departure. She said she noticed the ballpoint pen marks only while packing. After visiting the Immigration Department office in Kajang, she was referred to Putrajaya for further checks on whether the passport could still be used.
Officials told her the passport was damaged and no longer valid for travel. Because it was the weekend, she could not get a replacement until Monday. She then went to Kuala Lumpur International Airport to ask Qatar Airways whether her ticket could be changed, later saying the airline moved her flight to Monday for a fee of £114.
If a Passport Is Damaged
Travellers facing similar problems should:
- Stop using the passport for travel
- Contact the passport authority immediately
- Ask the airline about rebooking options
- Keep proof of the ticket change
- Check whether emergency passport services are available
- Avoid airport travel until officials confirm the document is valid
Rules can vary by country and airline.
The case is a useful warning before work trips, family holidays and long-haul journeys where one damaged document can break the whole itinerary. Torn pages, water damage, loose covers, ink marks or children’s drawings may all cause problems at check-in or border control. Passports should be checked before departure day and kept away from children, pens, liquids and packed snacks.
If a passport looks damaged, the decision usually sits with immigration staff, not the airline. That can leave travellers paying to move flights while they wait for a replacement document. The practical step is to check the passport well before departure, especially before weekend travel when same-day replacement options may be limited.
