easyJet has confirmed an investigation is underway after a passenger was allegedly able to board a flight at Manchester Airport for Milan did not have the right documentation
A young man has been arrested after allegedly boarding an easyJet flight for Milan without the right documents.
The low-cost airline is investigating how the passenger was able to get on the plane at Manchester Airport. It is unclear if he is said to have had a boarding pass for a different flight, or no boarding pass at all.
Passengers on the flight, however, said they believed the man didn’t have a boarding pass, in what they called a “security breach”. It’s understood the flight to Milan, Italy, had taxied onto the runway at the airport ahead of take-off when easyJet cabin crew on board realised he shouldn’t have been there.
Manchester Airport said all its security processes were followed as they should be and the situation involved the airline at the gate. They said the matter was being investigated by police.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP), meanwhile, said a man in his 20s was arrested and remained in custody today. He’s being held on suspicion of secreting himself for the purpose of being carried in an aircraft without consent and intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance.
Nothing suspicious was found on board, Manchester Evening News understands. The incident at Terminal One is not being treated as terror-related either. The man hasn’t been named.
A spokesperson said: “easyJet can confirm that flight EZY2127 from Manchester to Milan was subject to additional security checks, in line with procedures, due to a passenger incorrectly boarding the flight. Safety and security is our highest priority and so we will now work with our ground partner at Manchester Airport to understand how he was able to board the flight.”
One passenger who witnessed the incident said police officers boarded the flight, which was subsequently searched. The man was taken off by police. Passengers were taken off and had to be re-screened. All luggage and suitcases on board were also searched as the flight returned to the gate. The flight involved was an easyJet plane to Milan Malpensa – flight number EZY 2127 – which was delayed as a result.
The gate departure time was 6.23pm on Friday, but the flight took off from the airport at 11.10pm. The Airbus plane landed in Milan at just before 2am on Saturday – more than four-and-a-half hours late as a result.
In a statement, GMP said: “At around 7pm last night (Friday 4 October 2024), we were called to Manchester Airport to reports of a man who had embarked on a flight without the correct documentation.
“On arrival back to the terminal, officers arrested a man in his 20s on suspicion of secreting himself for the purpose of being carried in an aircraft without consent and intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance.
“He remains in police custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing.” No further details have been revealed.
