A 13-year-old boy with Tourette syndrome was banned from boarding a British Airways (BA) flight and escorted from Gatwick Airport by armed police after he repeatedly shouted the word 'bomb'. The incident occurred as the boy, named Mason, and his family were preparing to board a flight to Alicante, Spain.
Incident at the Gate
The family, from Harwich, Essex, had spent approximately £4,000 on flights for their group of ten. They had contacted BA the day before the flight to warn staff about Mason's condition and his potential tics, which could include shouting the word 'bomb'. Mason was also wearing a sunflower lanyard, a discreet indicator of hidden disabilities, and carried a diagnosis letter.
According to the boy's father, Martyn, everything went 'seamlessly' until they reached the gate, where Mason shouted 'bomb' several times. When the family attempted to board, a BA manager informed them they would not be allowed on the plane. The manager stated, 'We are not refusing him because he's got a disability. We are refusing him because there's been a threat made that he has a bomb in his bag.' The manager added that due to 'threats made on multiple occasions,' the airline had to take the situation 'incredibly seriously.'
Family's Ordeal
Martyn described the experience as 'horrendous' and said he was reduced to tears. He accused the airline of discriminating against his son. He told the BBC, 'Everyone was in tears because we've been waiting for this holiday for a long time.' Armed police marched Mason, along with his father, mother Gemma, and one-year-old sister Ariella, out of the airport. Mason's 16-year-old sister was permitted to board the flight with family friends. The rest of the family spent the night in a hotel before paying £2,400 to fly with Vueling the following day.
Airline's Response
A spokesperson for British Airways said that Mason's disability was not the reason for the decision. They described it as 'an extremely difficult, complex and distressing situation' and stated that 'due to a number of contributing factors, the decision was made not to allow the group to travel on the flight.'
Understanding Tourette Syndrome
Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes individuals to experience sudden, repetitive sounds or movements known as tics. People with Tourette's do not choose to make these sounds or movements and cannot control them.
