A Torn Passport Left One Brit Behind
An 81-year-old British traveller was refused boarding on a Ryanair flight to Girona after staff at Bournemouth Airport found a tear in the biodata page of his passport. John Constable had been due to travel with 16 relatives on 27 July, but the airline said the damaged document was not valid for travel. His family continued to Spain without him after the refusal.
What Happened at Bournemouth Airport
- Route: Bournemouth – Girona, Spain
- Airline: Ryanair
- Date: 27 July 2026
- Passenger: John Constable, 81
- Problem: Tear in the passport biodata page
- Outcome: Refused boarding; 16 relatives travelled without him
- Urgent replacement: One-week Fast Track costs £192 for a standard adult passport
Constable’s family said the passport had previously been accepted by British Airways, Air Canada, UK Border Force and authorities in Canada and the United States. They also said it had gone through a washing machine. Ryanair maintained that the refusal was correct because the damage affected the biodata page. Previous successful trips do not guarantee that an airline or border official will accept the same document again.
UK government guidance says a passport should be replaced if damaged and warns that travel may not be possible with it. Damage can include ripped or missing pages, unreadable details, tears or cuts in the cover, a separating cover, and stains caused by water or ink. HM Passport Office distinguishes this from minor wear and tear that does not affect security features or personal details.
The case is a reminder to inspect a passport before a trip rather than relying only on its expiry date. A small tear can become a serious issue when it affects the personal-details page or security features. Travellers with damaged passports can use the one-week Fast Track replacement service if eligible, which may help when a holiday is approaching and there is not enough time for a standard application.