British teen mistakenly takes wrong flight from Menorca airport and lands in Italy

Published: 05 August ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

In a startling mishap at Menorca’s Mahón Airport, a 15-year-old British teenager was accidentally flown to Milan instead of London, raising urgent questions about airport security and airline procedures concerning unaccompanied minors.

The incident unfolded on Monday, when the boy, scheduled to return to London Stansted with his family via a TUI flight, became separated from his parents amid the bustle of the departure terminal. Moments after his disappearance, his family raised the alarm, prompting Spanish authorities to activate the airport’s missing child alert system and launch an immediate investigation.

According to a statement from Spain’s national police in Mallorca, a thorough review of CCTV footage revealed the boy had mistakenly boarded a flight operated by easyJet to Milan Malpensa. Shockingly, he had done so without a boarding pass or valid ticket. Authorities confirmed the flight had already departed before the error was discovered, but the alert was deactivated once it was verified that the teenager was safe and en route to Italy.

The boy’s mother swiftly travelled to Milan, where she was reportedly reunited with her son later the same day. No injuries or harm were reported, but the family, whose identities have not been released, is said to have been shaken by the unexpected turn of events.

In response to the incident, easyJet released a statement saying: “We are investigating with the airport and our ground handling provider at Mahón how a young passenger was able to travel unaccompanied on the wrong flight to Milan this morning. The passenger was met by our team and the local authorities in Milan and we have provided travel arrangements for a family member to meet them that day. We remain in touch with the family to offer our support.”

While the airline has pledged full cooperation with local authorities to understand the breach, the incident has sparked concern among travel experts and the public about how a minor was able to pass through multiple layers of airport checks without appropriate documentation or being flagged.

This unusual and potentially dangerous episode highlights the need for more stringent safeguards and vigilant supervision, particularly for minors navigating international airports. The case is now under review as both airport officials and easyJet seek to clarify how such a critical error was allowed to happen, despite existing security protocols.

The teenager, though unharmed, will not soon forget his unintended solo adventure across Europe. As for airport authorities, the experience stands as a stark reminder of the need for unwavering diligence in ensuring the safety and proper handling of all passengers — especially the youngest and most vulnerable.