Security nightmare after child boards Shanghai flight with no ticket

A flight from Beijing to Shanghai was delayed for five hours on Sunday morning after cabin crew discovered a child had boarded the plane without a ticket, Chinese media reported.

All passengers on Flight 1252 operated by Juneyao Airlines, a Chinese carrier, were forced to disembark and go through security checks a second time, according to Beijing Youth Daily. The child was reportedly accompanied by three adults, who helped the minor board the flight undetected, the newspaper reported. An investigation has been launched.

The incident is the latest security scare involving Chinese airports and flights. Last month, an elderly woman delayed a China Southern Airlines flight for hours after throwing coins at the plane’s engine in a wish for a safe flight.

The Juneyao Airlines flight was due to depart Beijing Capital International Airport at 6.55am for Shanghai. After flight attendants discovered the ticketless child, they informed the passengers they would have to deplane and repeat the security screening procedures. The flight left around noon. The number of passengers was not given but the plane was an Airbus A321, which can seat more than 180 people.