Connecting flights at Amsterdam? KLM now demands you have an EU-compatible passport
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The little-known passport rule tripping up EU travellers
- KLM now requires all passengers connecting through Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport to have passports compliant with EU regulations, even if they remain in the transit area.
- This policy, based on EU rules, mandates passports issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least three months after the transfer.
- Gavin McDermott, traveling to Hong Kong via Amsterdam, was denied boarding at Leeds Bradford Airport due to his passport exceeding the 10-year issuance limit, despite its validity for Hong Kong.
- KLM refused McDermott's reimbursement claim, citing inaccurate passport validity rules.
- This policy affects travellers from visa-required countries, potentially boosting traffic for other hubs like London Heathrow that have less stringent transit requirements.