CAAC called out after child boards plane without ticket

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is coming under scrutiny, being warned it needs to identify internal management problems.

This, after a child was able to board a flight at Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday without a ticket, reports the Beijing Morning Post.

[File photo: sina.com]

Passengers onboard a Juneyao Airlines flight to Shanghai were forced to repeat the boarding process after the flight crew discovered that a 5 year old child made it through both security and the boarding gate without a boarding pass. This led to a 5 hour flight delay.

An official with the CAAC confirmed on Tuesday that the 5 people in the group, which included the parents of the unticketed child and two other children, did not intend to circumvent the rules. The novice flyers believed the child did not require a ticket, as he was below the height requirements used to determine whether a child is able to travel for free on the Chinese rail service. 

Zhang Qihuai, a professor with the China University of Political Science and Law, said the CAAC is ultimately responsible for the mishap, saying the agency needs to conduct an internal investigation and audit of its current practices. 

"The loopholes in the security check at the airport, and the dereliction of duty, are the problems that need the most attention," said Zhang, who is also the Chief Secretary of the Beijing Air Law Research Association.

July 16th's incident has also sparked a flurry of online criticism of the CAAC, with many questioning security standards at both Beijing Capital International Airport and the airlines themselves.

Officials with both PEK and Juneyao Airlines are promising a full investigation.

Juneyao is also reportedly planning to provide 200 yuan (30 U.S. dollars) in compensation for each passenger on the flight due to the delay.