11 yr old boy sneaks onto plane without ticket or passport, ends up in Rome

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http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC120725-0000127/Eleven-year-old-sneaks-onto-plane-without-ticket-or-passport

Airport officials have launched an urgent investigation after an 11-year-old boy took a flight to Rome on his own from Manchester Airport without a passport or boarding pass.

Liam Corcoran passed through security without being checked, before making his way on to the Jet2.com flight yesterday.

Staff have been suspended over the incident, in which Liam evaded five security checks to board the flight, the Daily Telegraph reported.

An investigation has been launched and the incident has prompted concerns from the highest levels of government.

A Manchester Airport spokesman said: "The boy went through full security screening so the safety of passengers and the aircraft was never compromised.

"He was with a large group of other children, he appeared to be in a family group - for whatever reason he wasn't checked.

"It was our responsibility - we absolutley have to answer for that. This was a young lad on an adventure."

Hours earlier, the boy had run away from his mother while she was shopping at Wythenshawe Civic Centre and made his way to the airport.

It was understood that Liam had followed a family when he got to the packed terminal 1, and that security staff scanned him but failed to realise he was on his own and had no boarding card.

He then went to one of the gates where passengers were boarding Jet2.com flight LS791 to Rome, and managed to get past a security check without showing a passport or boarding card, it was reported.

It was believed that after he boarded and took a seat, crew failed to carry out an accurate headcount to make sure that the number of passengers and boarding cards matched up.

During the flight passengers became suspicious and alerted cabin crew. The captain was informed and radioed back to Manchester, where police informed the boy's mother he was safe and well but on a plane heading to Italy.

A Manchester Airport spokesman said the boy remained on board after landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport, and returned to Manchester on the same plane, where he was met by his mother at around 9pm last night.

A number of staff from Manchester Airport and Jet2.com have been suspended while the investigation takes place. Officials declined to comment further or say how many staff have been suspended.