An investigation has been launched after an 11 year old boy boarded a flight at Manchester airport without a passport, boarding pass or money.
The child evaded five security checks to join the Jet2.com flight to Rome unaccompanied.
The captain of the aircraft was only alerted to the extra passenger when holidaymakers became concerned as the flight headed to Italy yesterday afternoon.
Hours earlier the youngster had run ran away from his mother while she was shopping at Wythenshawe Civic Centre and made his way to the airport, the Manchester Evening News reported.
The boy is understood to have followed a family when he got to Terminal 1. Security staff scanned him but failed to realise he was on his own and had no boarding card.
The aircraft landed at Fiumicino airport in Rome where the youngster was asked to remain on board.
He stayed on the aircraft as it took off again on its return to Manchester airport.
Ground staff have been suspended as the airport and airline try to find out how the boy was able to get onto the aircraft unchecked.
An airport spokesman said: “There should have been checks. Those checks didn’t happen and that is subject to a very serious investigation.”
A Jet2.com spokesman said: “We are fully investigating the incident as a matter of urgency and the staff involved have been suspended during this investigation.”