Kyle Harris was not allowed on a Jet2 flight from Kefalonia – Kyle, 39, was travelling with his wife and two children with a US passport but has lived in the UK since he was a baby
A dad has been left stranded on a Greek island after airline staff refused to let him on board on his American passport, even though he has lived in the UK for nearly his whole life.
Kyle Harris was not allowed on a Jet2 flight from Kefalonia. The 39-year-old was there on holiday with his wife Ruth, 40, and their two sons.
But he was caught out by tough new rules that are affecting dual-national Brits at the border.
Previously, dual-national Brits could fly back to the UK on ther second nationality passports. But Home Office changes brought in in February has changed that. Now, a valid UK or Irish passport must be shown, or obtain a ‘certificate of entitlement’ that costs a hefty £589.
Kyle, a Brit from South Yorkshire who has been in the UK since he was a baby, was told he could not come home on the flight until his family proves his right to return to Blighty.
The situation is further complicated by Kyle requiring medication to treat a pituitary tumour. The mediation he needs is hard to access while abroad.
The ordeal has been stressful for the family, with Ruth taking to Facebook to vent her frustrations at the situation.
“Imagine being told your husband can’t come home to the UK – despite living there for 39 years, paying 24 years of tax and national insurance, attending nursery, primary and secondary school, raising British children and building his entire life there,” she lamented. “That’s exactly what happened to us on Saturday. After what was an amazing family holiday in Kefalonia with incredible friends we arrived at the airport to be told he could not board the flight home to the UK.”
Kyle was born in Maryland to a British mum and American dad working for the RAF.
Ruth said her husband had travelled on his US passport throughout his life without issue.
“Our options appear to be applying for a British passport from Greece, or a visa to enter his own home country,” said Ruth.
“Not once during booking, travel, or check-in were we warned this could happen. Nor have we seen any of a large campaign that has apparently taken place to ensure people travelling this way know.”
Ruth also said: “This situation needs attention. How can a system be rolled out with so little communication that someone who has lived in the UK virtually their entire life suddenly feels unwelcome, forgotten, and forced to prove they belong?
“And the only way is a passport; not the long-standing paper trail of contribution to that country.
“Right now my husband feels more like a foreigner than a citizen of the country he calls home.”
Ruth also said the family wee given the option of flying home with without Kyle, but she refused, saying she wouldn’t leave her husband stranded while their children cried for him.
As the situation continues, Ruth and Kyle have sought help from the British consulate in Greece, as well as the Foreign Office in London. They said they have submitted “lots” of information including tax records and birth certificates to try and help their cause.
Ruth said other dual nationals have got in touch and didn’t know about the new rules, which she insists they were not trying to flout.
The Home Office previously said the changes are part of attempts to digitise and give the Government “greater power to stop those who pose a threat from setting foot in the country and gives us a fuller picture of immigration”.
A number of dual nationals have been caught out, however.
The Mirror has approached the Home Office and Foreign Office for comment.
A Jet2 spokesperson said: “We’re sorry to hear about Mr Harris’ experience.
“Our cabin crew acted in accordance with government legislation and sought guidance from the Home Office, as the passenger did not have the correct documentation at the time of travel.
“We advise all customers to check Foreign Office travel requirements before travelling.”
