Today, I was denied at check in/bag drop on a SAS flight MAN-OSL-BGO-SVG. I was informed that my UK passport was invalid for OSL owing to Norway’s implementation of the 10 year rule (Issued 20 Jan 16 exp 20 Oct 26); If I was on the Stockholm flight it would be OK, but Norway no.

This took me completely by surprise, especially as I’d already checked in on line. I knew my passport was close to the limit & I intended to renew it next month. I did briefly dispute this however, as I’d arrived at the airport at T55, I was more concerned with rebooking it. I’m also going to have to rebook STG-BGO-OSL-CPH-PRH which I was due to fly tomorrow, along with a W6 PRH-LGW the next day.

This is from the website of The Royal Norwegian Embassy in London;

To enter Norway, your UK passport must:

- have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter Norway
- be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave

The agent insisted that as Norway counts back from the issue date, my passport is invalid; it’s the only EU country that does it this way. She did add that she reads it the same as me, but the Norway doesn’t.

To be honest, for other reasons, I almost rebooked this flight last night, so I wasn’t exactly gutted about this. Financially it isn’t going to cost me a huge amount extra, but that’s not the point. I have used a couple of passport checkers & they seem to confirm my opinion that the agent was incorrect. Am I wrong?

On a positive note, at least the issue with Flying blue awarding incorrect XP Points for SAS Euro Business, should be resolved by February.

Any thoughts?