People should check the small print before flying off to Europe, International Air Transport Association (IATA) representative Philip Troake warns.

Mr. Troake, who is also the local manager for British Airways, said France was still requiring a visa and travellers were still experiencing problems getting into Germany despite claims visa rules had been dropped.

He added that recent claims by Swedish Consul Jens Juul that visas were no longer necessary for entry into Sweden were contradicted by the IATA computer.

Mr. Troake warned recent news reports that red-tape had been removed -- information passed on by consuls in Bermuda -- had not always travelled down the line with immigration authorities.

And he stressed that airlines would be unlikely to take a gamble on taking passengers lacking necessary documents because they would be hit with a $2,000 fine for each rejected passenger they carried.

"International airlines go by what it says on the IATA computer,'' said Mr.

Troake.

But he said even then it was better to be safe than sorry.

He said: "Germany had got it changed, but anecdotal evidence says people are still having a problem there.'' He urged people to get children a passport as not all countries were as easy-going as North America. To get into the UK, minors must have one, he said.

"This is a frequent problem. Somebody was turned away on Sunday because their infant didn't have a passport,'' said Mr. Troake. "If you aren't certain, get a travel agent to ask the airline. If you don't ask, you won't always be told'' Mr. Troake said Bermudians who took up full British citizenship, which is set to be put forward in the UK parliament soon, would get far less hassle when going abroad than those holding British Dependent Territory Citizenship passports which cause confusion in many countries.