What steps should you take if a passenger’s travel documents appear to be invalid or expired?

• A. Do not issue boarding pass; advise passenger of requirements, and refer to gate supervisor or consulate as appropriate.
• B. Issue a boarding pass anyway with extra notes.
• C. Allow boarding only after paying a fine.
• D. Ask passenger to surrender their passport.

Answer: (A)

When travel documents look invalid or expired, the priority is to prevent travel with those documents and guide the passenger to obtain valid ones before departure. Do not issue a boarding pass. Tell the passenger that their documents do not meet entry requirements and explain what is needed for travel. If needed, escalate to the gate supervisor or contact the relevant consulate/embassy or appropriate authorities for guidance on obtaining the correct documents or alternatives. The supervisor can advise on options such as rebooking, routing changes, or delays until documentation is in order, and you should follow airline procedures and border rules. This approach prevents facilitating illegal or denied travel and protects both the passenger and the airline from penalties. Issuing a boarding pass with notes, accepting a fine, or asking the passenger to surrender their passport does not resolve the underlying requirement and can create legal or security problems.