Holidaymakers across West Sussex are being urged to check the specific entry requirements for Turkey after a family was turned away from their flight at Gatwick Airport.
The incident, reported on 6 September 2026, saw a family—including a mother with a disability—denied boarding for their planned holiday. The refusal at the check-in desk was reportedly due to passport validity issues, highlighting a strict regulation that frequently catches out travellers from the Bognor Regis and wider Sussex area.
While many popular European destinations require passports to be valid for three or six months, Turkey operates a specific legal requirement that differs from standard EU rules.
The 150-day rule explained
According to official guidance, British passport holders travelling to Turkey must ensure their travel documents are valid for at least 150 days (approximately five months) from the date they arrive in the country.
Airlines, including those operating out of Gatwick, are required to enforce these rules strictly. If a passenger is transported with insufficient documentation, the carrier can face significant fines, leading to rigorous checks at the departure gate.
In addition to the validity timeframe, the Turkish government requires that passports have at least one full blank page available. This is necessary for the placement of entry and exit stamps at border control.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirms these requirements apply to all British Citizens entering the country for tourism.
Practical advice for Sussex travellers
For residents planning a trip from Gatwick, travel experts recommend checking passport expiry dates at the time of booking rather than waiting until the week of departure.
The “150-day” requirement is often confused with the “six-month rule” common in other international territories. Because the Turkish requirement is exactly 150 days from arrival, a passport that expires in five months and a few days may be dangerously close to the limit depending on the specific arrival date.
Passengers who find themselves with insufficient validity should not attempt to travel, as boarding will almost certainly be denied. Most standard travel insurance policies do not cover losses incurred due to invalid travel documents or failure to meet entry requirements.
Those with disabilities or specific access needs should also be aware that if they are denied boarding due to document issues, the airline’s statutory obligations for care and assistance may be limited, as the refusal is based on a failure to meet legal entry criteria rather than an operational delay.
