Ahead of the Easter holidays, Brits are being warned about a common passport mistake that could see them turned away at the airport.

Thousands of holidaymakers will be looking to jet abroad during the Easter half-term, whether that's for a sun-drenched beach getaway or a charming city escape. Airports are expected to be busier than usual during the peak travel season, so it's crucial that Brits are well prepared before packing their bags.

Some of the most common mistakes made by travellers are not checking their passports correctly before booking a holiday or making their way to the airport. This can lead to them being turned away at the airport, missing out on their getaway altogether, and being unable to get a refund.

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In a bid to help holidaymakers avoid any mishaps with their passports, travel expert Jamie Fraser at Wild Packs has issued a warning about damage to passports. He informed that travellers are "turned away from the airport every year because their passport is physically damaged".

This can include torn pages, water damage, detached covers, or anything else that can make the personal details on the passport hard to read. If this is the case, Jamie warned that the passport may no longer be valid, leaving the traveller unable to fly.

And sometimes the damage can be minor. General wear and tear can become an issue when attempting to travel through the automated scanners or border checkpoints at the airport.

Passports can easily become shabby after years of being stuffed into a backpack, handled at the airport, and taken on various trips. So if you've got a trip coming up, whether it's for the Easter holidays or later in the year, it's best to check your passport's condition before you travel.

Jamie also warned that travellers must check the expiry date AND issue date of their passports. This is due to a post-Brexit rule for travel to most European countries, which means UK passports must have been issued within the 10 years prior to the arrival date.

Another key check is to ensure there is a blank page at the end of the passport for any appropriate stamps or visas. The expert noted that if you're a frequent flyer with a passport full of stamps from previous trips, it could cause issues at the border if there aren't enough blank pages.

If you have any issues with your passport, you can renew or replace it through the government website. However, be sure to do it in plenty of time before your flight departure, as Jamie warned that the UK’s fast-track passport services are not "always guaranteed and appointments can be limited during peak travel periods".

Notably, they are also more expensive compared to renewing the passport in advance. To renew or replace your passport online, it will cost £94.50, or £107 when applied for with a paper form. It typically takes around three weeks, but it can take longer, so it's best to get it done as soon as possible to avoid any travel mishaps.

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