Sam McBride: So long, Common Travel Area? Why centuries of free movement between Britain and Ireland could be about to endStricter rules from airlines and UK go will have a knock-on effect on the freedoms we take for grantedPassports will now be required on Aer Lingus and Ryanair flights between Irish and British airports. Photo: GettySam McBride Today at 17:00I’m writing this at 30,000 feet, somewhere above the North Channel between Belfast and Heathrow. A few minutes ago, I showed my passport to board what is a domestic UK flight, but the Common Travel Area (CTA) means I could have got on in Dublin and shown only a driving licence or some other form of ID.

Source: Irish Independent February 28, 2026 22:00 UTC