Airline sorry after telling children they can't travel without photo ID

Tuesday 07 June 2022

Airline Jet2 has reportedly apologised after two children were denied boarding because they didn’t have their own photo ID, when they didn’t need it to travel to Jersey.

National and regional media this weekend reported on the story of Jersey resident Shane Lloyd, who’s Wigan-based children Dylan (13) and Grace (14) were due to the fly to the island from Manchester for a week’s holiday.

The children were travelling with their auntie.

Mr Lloyd told the Liverpool Echo: “I was furious. I was at Jersey Airport waiting for them then I got a call from my sister saying they wouldn't let them get on.

“They’ve flown over, it must be 15 to 20 times now since I’ve been here, they’ve flown with easyJet, with Jet2, from Manchester, from Liverpool, and they’ve never needed ID. My daughter lived here with me for 18 months and she flew back six months ago on a Jet2 flight and didn’t need photo ID.

“Every time I make their mum pack their birth certificates though just in case but this time they said even they weren’t good enough. They had to come all the way back through security. They were both in tears.

“The worst part of it is their mum was meant to be going away herself, but her holiday was cancelled as well the same day. If it hadn't have been, they would just been left stranded there and I wouldn’t have been able to get to them.” 

Jet2 apologised and booked the children on new flights. 

Mr Lloyd told the newspaper: “I’m obviously pleased I’m going to get to see them now. But I’m still angry they left two children at the airport just because someone didn’t know the rules.”