11-year-old flies to Rome without passport

(AP) LONDON - The 11-year-old boy didn't have a passport, didn't have a ticket, didn't have a boarding pass, and somehow managed to get all the way from England to Italy.

Officials at Manchester airport and at the airline Jet2.com said Wednesday they were investigating how the boy got aboard the flight to Rome and wasn't detected until the cabin crew identified him during the flight.

"This is an unusual and serious breach and we are keen to find out what has gone on," the government's transport secretary, Justine Greening, said.

The unusual incident took place Tuesday amid heightened security concerns during the run-up to the Olympics.

The Manchester Evening News quoted Sarah Swayne, a passenger on the return flight, as saying the boy didn't seem to be fazed by the fuss he had caused.

"He just sat there chatting away about how he'd been trying to run away from home," Swayne was quoted as saying. "He seemed quite innocent, really, and I don't think it had sunk in how serious the situation was."

An undisclosed number of security staff and airline employees have been suspended following the incident.

"It's not technically a breach of security," airport spokesman Russell Craig told the BBC. "The boy posed no threat to the aircraft. He went through a security process."

Craig said CCTV images showed that the boy mingled with families moving through the airport on a busy day.

In a statement, the airport described the incident as "extremely serious."

"It is clear that documentation has not been checked correctly at security and the boarding gate," the statement said.

Jet2.com said the boy was returned to Manchester and reunited with his family.

[Y_arth]

@Transatlantique- A good slap might help you, too. Kids today need to be slapped around a little to show them they can't get away with whatever they want.

[Ulgnud]

Wow! I'll bet that caused a lot of discussions and arm waving among the airline and security staff. I would not have thought it was possible for something like that to happen anymore.

[Y_arth]

This kid looks like a real smart a$$. Someone needs to slap him hard, very hard!

[Transatlantique]

People like you are what is wrong with children today. Maybe he was trying to run away from someone like you. Let's hope you don't have children. He is eleven years old, and you are an idiot. You have no idea WHO this child is, so stop pretending to be a "smart a$$."

[kbbpll]

You can do a lot of things other people can't, when you're a child or you have one with you. I've been out on the tarmac alone (bathroom excuse), and gone past immigration without being checked (also bathroom excuse). It's just Security Theater after all.

[Transatlantique]

That is scary to know.

[Jaylah54200]

I just wish I knew his secret. The only thing standing between me and a European holiday is the price of a ticket to get there.

[nancy_naive]

yeah, but he only got HALF way.

Remember, the Titanic only made it half way, too.

[MagnaCartaUK]

Jaylah, you'll be welcome in Britain anyday. ... nancy_naive, thanks for that - gave me a much-needed laugh.

[tonyatq]

Where are his parents?

[nancy_naive]

Still waiting for Cousin Ned to clear customs from New York.

[LVwidow]

He was with his mother at the shopping center. I'm glad the kid is okay but every week kids are reported missing or found dead somewhere and the parents wonder why.

[Lerianis6]

Yes, this is a breach of security and shows how worthless the security procedures are if he could have done this.

Think about it: if a 12 year old kid, alone, can get through this 'security'..... do you really think an older person with nefarious ends on his mind would be stopped by them?

Absolutely not and that proves how worthless this security theater is.

[retiredgustav]

I am waiting for someone to blame the TSA for this.

[nancy_naive]

Nah, TSA (or the Brit counterpart) can't be blamed for this... unless he went through security without a ... oh wait, he did.

[63laura]

Im not surprised that a child could slip by unnoticed in a busy
airport as adults we would have little suspicion of a child. If the
child were say a teen of fourteen or so they would most likely be
stopped and questioned. Go easy on the airport employees they are
people to and many have children themselves. They most likely assumed
the childs parents had the childs ticket also.

[nancy_naive]

Say that to the TSA agents that patted-down a 4-year old last year.

[BluePress]

Luckily he wasn't a midget terrorist with a diaper bomb.
The dumb Brits are too concered with the security for London and the Olympics they must be over looking their airports.
Let's see id the inhuman lunatic terrorists don't try to send a kid with a bomb on him the next time around.

[Transatlantique]

"dumb Brits?" You must be a dumb American.

[tiredofairlines]

Seems to me that neither the Americans or the Brits have the patent on stupid since neither of them can get this process right. I hate hearing the don't be too hard on the airline employees because they probably have kids too. Who cares! EVERYBODY needs a ticket, passport, etc. I get hounded ALL the time at security with my children and it gets old but each one of our kids always have their tix and passports. I have an 11 yr old son and if he goes to the bathroom... guess what one of the adults stays with him until we get on the plane. He doesn't go wondering off at the airport... and YES we are always checked for tickets.

Our 11 year old son was actually searched to the point we thought they were going to do a cavity check coming back from Costa Rica to the US. I guess the fact that I'm of hispanic origin (although born in the US) makes me way more typical or my children more typical to be a terrorist. My son unfortunately looks a lot like me. His brothers who are blonde and blue eyed are never hassled at the airport..... I really hate the airlines these days....