Changes this month – if you’re going to Cork Airport, be aware
An Aer Lingus flight taking off from Cork Airport (Image: David Creedon)
Aer Lingus has announced a significant change to its rules for passengers travelling between Ireland and the UK – so if you’re jetting off from Cork Airport in the coming months, you’ll want to be up-to-date.
Passengers with the Irish airline had previously had the convenience of being able to travel between Ireland and the UK using alternative forms of identification to their passport, such as a driving licence or a birth certificate. From later this month, however, at the behest of the British government, Aer Lingus passengers will have to use either a passport or passport card for travel between Ireland and the UK.
The new rules will come into force from February 25 2026, at which date people wishing to enter the UK who are not British or Irish nationals will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) as part of the ‘No Permission, No Travel’ scheme.
What are the rules for travel between Ireland and the UK?
If you’re an Irish or UK national, you need to carry a valid passport or Irish Passport Card in order to fly with Aer Lingus on international flights between Ireland and the UK from 25 February 2026. Photo identification other than a passport or Irish Passport Card will no longer be accepted from that date.
A valid passport is currently required for travel between Ireland and the UK on Ryanair flights, DublinLive reports.
What about travel between the North of Ireland and mainland UK?
Photo ID requirements remain unchanged on domestic UK routes operated by Emerald Airlines between Belfast and other parts of the UK.
Acceptable photo ID for Irish and UK nationals for travel on domestic UK routes only remains unchanged. Nationals of Ireland and the UK under the age of 16 don’t need photo ID on domestic UK routes, only when travelling with their parent or guardian.
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