Gatwick ground staff get passport rules wrong again

Passenger with valid document ordered off flight to Malta

- SIMON CALDER

Sunny skies and a Mediterranean breeze: that was what awaited holidaymakers aboard British Airways flight 2616 from London Gatwick to Malta two days before Christmas. Among them was Sue Heath, 64, from Buckinghamshire. But just before the Airbus pushed back from the gate, she was ordered to leave seat 23C on the aircraft.

Even though her UK passport is valid for travel to Malta and the rest of the European Union until late March, ground staff wrongly offloaded Ms Heath – and then blamed her for having an “expired” passport, when the document was perfectly valid.

“I was told my passport was not valid for the EU,” said Ms Heath, who has spent much of her working life in travel. I had to accept their decision and sadly miss my Christmas in Malta. I felt very humble and embarrassed that I had messed up.”

In fact, British Airways ground staff at Gatwick had once again messed up by denying boarding to a properly documented passenger.