KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has come under fire for allowing Mr. Poole to fly from Prague to Newcastle using his friend's passport, and was able to pass four airport security checks in Prague, Amsterdam, and later at the UK Border Force in Newcastle.
The airline has insisted that "the safety of passengers and crew has never been compromised", but was still criticised by Mr. Vincent, who complained he had to stay longer to get an emergency passport.
— Steve Vincent (@SteveVincent23) February 19, 2019
— Steve Vincent (@SteveVincent23) February 20, 2019
"In Prague, two passengers accidentally exchanged their passports," A KLM spokesperson said as quoted by the Independent. "One of them flew from Prague to Newcastle via Amsterdam, without it being noticed at the various airports that he was travelling on someone else's passport".
"KLM works with competent authorities to ensure that the aircraft, passengers and crew are safe and secure during flight," the spokesperson added. "Although this is an undesirable, but exceptional situation, the passenger went through all security checks. The safety of passengers and crew has never been compromised."
— Jeroen van Marle (@jeroenvanmarle) February 21, 2019
— Michael McShane (@michaelmcshane) February 21, 2019
Carriage services are only provided to passengers named on the ticket, according to KLM's General Conditions of Carriage terms, and reserves the right to "check the identity documents of the passengers," adding that "passengers must therefore be able to provide the Carrier with proof of their identity."
