Several outlets report that a 13-year-old boy with Tourette’s syndrome is refused boarding by British Airways at London Gatwick Airport after he shouts the word “bomb.” The incident occurs as the family attempts to fly to Alicante on Saturday, with multiple family members travelling together.
According to reporting, airline staff decide not to let the boy board because they view the remarks as a safety threat. The family is escorted out of the departure area, with some accounts describing armed security being involved. The father is described as upset and questioning the decision.
None of the sources provide evidence of an actual explosive device or that any threat was intended. The accounts attribute the boy’s outburst to Tourette’s, which can involve involuntary vocalisations. The coverage focuses on the airline’s risk-based response and the family’s account of the circumstances leading to the boarding refusal.
