Ryanair warning for some holidaymakers with passports close to expiry date as they could be denied travel

Millions of people across the world will be in transit over the coming weeks during the busy Easter holiday period.

Irish people will be looking forward to some sun or city holidays, while visitors are also expected to arrive in Ireland from abroad in increased numbers.

The airline of choice for bargain hunters across Europe is Ryanair, with low fares and a broad array of destinations proving enticing for travellers.

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However, some passengers should be aware of specific rules when it comes to their passports when flying with Ryanair.

Anyone with a non-EU passport must adhere to strict rules in order to board a flight operated by the airline to 26 countries within Europe.

Most people are able to travel with the majority of airlines right up until the passport expiry date.

However, Ryanair warns that “non EU passport holders, travelling into a Schengen member country are obliged to ensure that their passport is valid for at least 3 months from the date of their departure from the Schengen member country”.

Ireland and the UK are not part of the Schengen area.

However, among the countries in this zone are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Ryanair’s policy states: “It is each passenger’s responsibility to carry a travel document which meets the requirements of Ryanair immigration and other authorities.

“You can check visa and passport requirements by contacting the Consulate or Embassy of the country you are planning to visit.

“All non EU passport holders, travelling into a Schengen member country are obliged to ensure that their passport is valid for at least 3 months from the date of their departure from the Schengen member country. This requirement does not apply to holders of a Schengen issued residence permit or long term visas.

“From 1st October 2021, nationals of the EEA/EU or Switzerland travelling to the United Kingdom must be in possession of a valid passport, as National ID cards issued by the EEA/EU and Switzerland are no longer acceptable to enter the UK (unless you hold a form of residence status in the UK).”

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