Mother of boy who caught a flight alone without a passport criticises airport

The mother of an eleven-year-old schoolboy from Wythenshawe, who flew to Rome by himself without a passport or boarding pass, has criticised Manchester Airport after her son revealed he walked through a series of airport security checks without being challenged by a single member of staff.

In an interview with The Sun, Liam Corcoran said he was not asked for any documentation as he made his way onto the Jet2.com flight at Manchester Airport, just days before the Olympic Games gets under way.

Liam said: "There were lots of people but I didn't speak to anyone. I followed where people were going and then at the barrier I went underneath it.

"I didn't have anything on me and and no-one asked me for anything. I did what I asked and just carried on walking."

The schoolboy, who has learning difficulties, was on a shopping trip in Wythenshawe with his mother on Tuesday before wandering away and travelling a few miles to the airport on a bus after finding a ticket on the floor.

Liam told The Sun he needed the toilet so decided to head into Terminal 1, which has been welcoming athletes in the run-up to the Games.

He said he walked through a body scanner and metal detector, but his lack of documents was not noticed by staff.

The youngster then passed through a gate where he was not required to show a passport or boarding pass, and made it on to Jet2.com flight LS791 to Rome without being asked to show his boarding stub to cabin crew.

The boy stayed on the plane after landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport, and returned to Manchester on the same plane at around 9pm on Tuesday.

His mother Mary said: "I can't get my head around it. How did he get that far without anyone asking him one question?

"I just keep thinking how easy it would be for a terrorist."

Five staff from Manchester Airport and Jet2.com have been suspended while an investigation into the incident takes place, according to The Sun.

A Manchester Airport spokesman said: "This extremely serious matter is now being urgently investigated by officials from the airport and airline.

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