A young student diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome faced distress when he was prevented from boarding a British Airways flight due to uttering the word “bomb.” Thirteen-year-old Mason Entwistle, along with his family, was denied access to their London Gatwick to Alicante, Spain flight on Saturday, as airport authorities considered him a security risk. Mason’s father, Martyn, described the incident as traumatic, stating that Mason was in tears, questioning the purpose of his life.
Martyn, hailing from Harwich in Essex, disclosed that Mason, who was wearing a sunflower disability lanyard, had informed British Airways about his Tourette’s syndrome days prior to the incident. The family, on a £4,000 holiday trip with a group of 10, encountered heightened anxiety from Mason at the departure gate, leading to the unfortunate turn of events.
Video footage captured Martyn confronting a British Airways manager over the decision, with Mason visibly upset in the background. The airline manager cited a perceived threat of a bomb in Mason’s possession as the reason for refusal, emphasizing the seriousness of such claims. Despite the family’s insistence on compliance, armed officers intervened, ultimately leading to the cancellation of their travel plans.
After a prolonged wait, the family was compelled to purchase replacement flights through BA’s sister airline, Vueling, incurring additional costs. Martyn expressed his intent to raise awareness by reaching out to Tourette’s charities to prevent similar ordeals for other families in the future.
British Airways later responded, acknowledging the complexity and distress of the situation, attributing the decision to various contributing factors. The Entwistles called for improved training for airline staff to handle similar scenarios effectively and ensure a smoother experience for passengers.
