British Airways changes policy to require photo ID for UK domestic flights

British Airways is altering its policy to require photo ID from passengers on domestic flights from subsequent week.

The airline doesn’t presently insist on identification for prospects travelling solely throughout the UK and carrying solely hand baggage, though it does counsel they bring about some.

That may change from Friday 1 September, when anybody 16 or over may have to deliver one type of photo ID comparable to a passport, driving licence or EU nationwide identification card.

Most rival domestic airways comparable to EasyJet already insist on photographic identification for domestic flights however BA has been a holdout, avoiding the necessity for prospects to carry a driving licence or passport for journeys the place they aren’t required by authorities.

The change, which now brings BA into line with opponents, can be communicated to prospects through the automated pre-travel reminder emails.

It’s not clear why BA has accomplished this now. Some passengers have been advised it’s a new Civil Aviation Authority requirement however the CAA says this isn’t the case and that its policy of leaving the matter to particular person airways is unchanged.

Andrew McConnell, a spokesperson for the CAA, mentioned: “UK aviation safety rules don’t require a passenger’s identification to be checked for safety functions prior to boarding a domestic flight, in the identical means when travelling throughout the mainland on a prepare or bus. Any additional requirement on behalf of the provider to present identification could also be a situation of journey by the provider itself.”

BA presently says prospects “don’t want a passport … however we advise that you just carry photographic identification with you when travelling … this can be requested at sure factors in your journey.”

Its new policy, updated on its website, states: “You don’t require a passport to journey throughout the UK, however you will have to carry one sort of photographic ID when travelling with us. Examples embody: legitimate passport; legitimate driving licence, both provisional or full; legitimate EU nationwide identification card; legitimate armed forces identification card; legitimate police warrant card or badge.”

It provides: “Kids beneath the age of 16 don’t want to present identification when travelling on domestic flights. The grownup they’re travelling with should journey with photographic identification and have the option to affirm their identification. Kids aged 14 and 15 years who’re flying alone will want to present identification when travelling on domestic flights.”

Even with the brand new requirement, it’s understood BA is just not planning to test passenger IDs on all its domestic flights.

“We’ve all the time suggested prospects travelling on domestic providers throughout the UK to carry ID with them,” mentioned a spokesman.