What Happened
Aer Lingus has announced a significant change to its travel document requirements for passengers traveling between Ireland and the UK. Starting from February 25, 2026, all travelers will be required to present a valid passport or an Irish passport card. This new rule eliminates the acceptance of alternative forms of identification, such as driving licenses or birth certificates, which were previously allowed under the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangement.
Why It Matters
This change is crucial as it aligns Aer Lingus’s policies with those of other airlines, such as Ryanair, which has mandated passport use for travel between the UK and Ireland for several years. The new requirement aims to enhance operational performance and ensure consistency across the airline’s network. Additionally, non-British or Irish nationals will now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK.
What’s Next
Passengers planning to travel on Aer Lingus and Aer Lingus Regional services should prepare for this change by ensuring they have the necessary travel documents. It is important to note that domestic services operated by Emerald Airlines, such as Belfast to other parts of the UK, will not be affected by this new policy.
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