Mum Claims She Was Treated Like a Criminal at Turkey Airport After Son Flew with Expired Passport

A mother has detailed her family’s harrowing experience after they were detained for 24 hours in Turkey and lost their £6,000 vacation due to her failure to check her son’s passport expiration.

Amber Maherloughnan, 28, and her family flew from London Gatwick to Antalya, Turkey, on August 5 for a week-long holiday.

However, they were shocked to find out that her six-year-old son Reuben’s passport was nearly four months out of date upon arrival.

Turkish authorities confiscated their passports and held them in a cramped room with 13 other detainees. Amber described the conditions as appalling, with only a rotten tomato and an egg provided as food, and a single bottle of water for her and her son.

She reported that the room had a filthy toilet and a bed without bedding, which contributed to the traumatic experience.

Amber’s fiancé, Will Land-Smith, 31, attempted to secure a temporary travel document from the Turkish embassy, but this did not guarantee entry into the country.

As a result, the family had to return to the UK the following day, missing out on their £6,000 holiday.

Amber shared her ordeal on Facebook, posting a poignant photo of Reuben looking out of the plane window as they flew back home.

She expressed regret over her oversight but criticized the treatment they received, particularly given her son’s presence. Amber emphasized that she felt like a criminal despite acknowledging her mistake and vowed to be more meticulous in the future.

Amber noted that she was initially unaware of the expired passport issue until they reached Turkey, where an officer’s harsh reaction led to their detention. She described feeling terrified and helpless as they were forced to spend hours in the unsanitary room.

The UK Government website stipulates that passports must be valid for at least 150 days from the date of arrival when visiting Turkey. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises having a passport valid for at least six months from the arrival date.

Gatwick Airport stated that passport checks are the airline’s responsibility, while Antalya Airport referred the situation to the passport police authorities for further comment.