I am travelling from Dublin to Bergamo in December for a skiing holiday. I have booked a flight with Ryanair for my wife, my 11-year-old son and myself. Our son's best friend, also aged 11, is travelling with us. His parents booked his flight but they are not travelling. Are we likely to face any difficulties with Ryanair, Italian passport control on arrival or Irish passport control on return regarding our son's friend? - Gerard Harty, Limerick

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds:

In the vast majority of cases you'll be fine travelling with your son's friend, however, to be safe it is a good idea to get a consent letter before you go. It just needs to state that you have permission to take the child on holiday with you, and should be signed by both of the child¹s parents. To be completely belt and braces about it, you could even get it signed by a solicitor, or other notary.

This is also a good habit to get into if children are travelling alone or with one parent. Within the EU and in the circumstances that you describe, all should be well, but for more complex journeys to long haul destinations, it might also be worth contacting the embassy of the country that you are visiting, and also the airline you are flying with. They will be able to pass on any extra requirements and therefore put your mind at rest.

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