Aer Lingus will require passengers travelling between Ireland and Great Britain to carry a passport from 25 February 2026, despite longstanding Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements that do not legally require Irish and British citizens to hold one.
The move brings the airline into line with , which already insists on passport identification for these routes.
What Is the Common Travel Area?
The (CTA), established in 1923, allows citizens of Ireland and the United Kingdom to travel freely between:
- The Republic of Ireland
- The United Kingdom
- The Isle of Man
- The Channel Islands
Under CTA arrangements, Irish and British citizens are not legally required by governments to carry passports when travelling within the zone. Alternative forms of photographic identification have traditionally been accepted by many carriers.
What Is Changing?
From 25 February, will require:
- A valid passport, or
- An Irish passport card
for all passengers travelling between the Republic of Ireland and the UK — including Irish and British nationals.
Previously, the airline accepted a broad range of photographic ID, including:
- Work ID cards
- Student cards
- Bus passes
These will no longer be valid for travel on affected routes.
An Aer Lingus spokesperson said the policy change “aligns with the travel document requirements across the rest of our network and will ensure consistency and further improve operational performance.”
Exemptions and Exceptions
Passengers travelling on domestic services operated by Aer Lingus Regional — run by — are exempt from the new requirement.
Domestic services include:
- Belfast–UK routes
- Dublin–Donegal
Meanwhile, will continue to permit passengers travelling between London City or Heathrow and Dublin to fly without a passport, provided they carry recognised photographic ID proving identity and nationality.
However, confusion may arise because British Airways sells Aer Lingus flights via its website. A passenger booking an Aer Lingus-operated service through BA’s platform may not realise a passport is required.
Industry and Travel Implications
The change reflects an airline policy decision rather than a government-imposed rule. While governments within the CTA do not mandate passports for Irish and British citizens, airlines retain the right to set their own identification requirements.
Ferry operators crossing the Irish Sea between Ireland and Britain will continue to accept alternative forms of photographic identification.
The decision could affect spontaneous travel between Ireland and Great Britain, particularly for passengers accustomed to flying with minimal documentation under CTA arrangements.
With Aer Lingus now aligning its policy with Ryanair, passport-free air travel within the CTA will effectively depend on the carrier chosen — creating a more fragmented system for travellers.
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The decision is likely to have the greatest impact on frequent business travellers and short-notice passengers who have traditionally relied on alternative forms of photo identification for day trips between Dublin and London.
Industry observers note that the Ireland–Great Britain corridor is one of the busiest international air routes in Europe, with thousands of passengers travelling daily for work, family visits and leisure.
Travel experts also warn that the divergence in airline policies could create confusion at the booking stage, particularly where code-share arrangements exist.
Passengers may assume that Common Travel Area rules automatically apply across all carriers, when in reality airlines can impose stricter identification requirements than those mandated by governments.
The development highlights a broader post-Brexit shift in travel documentation norms, even within historically open arrangements like the Common Travel Area. While the legal framework remains unchanged, practical travel requirements are increasingly shaped by airline operational policies rather than intergovernmental agreements a distinction travellers will need to bear in mind from late February onward.