A mother’s account of finding her three children unattended at an airport has raised questions about the safety arrangements for minors travelling without their parents.
In an Instagram post, @the_glow_ceo alleged that her children, aged six and 13-year-old twins, were left alone in a public area after travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town on October 12.
She said she arrived approximately 10 to 15 minutes late to collect them and alleged that the staff member responsible for the children had instructed them to sit and wait before walking away.
The mother also claimed that nobody verified her identity or asked her to sign the required handover documentation. She said she raised her concerns with airline staff and later submitted a formal complaint but had not received an acknowledgement at the time of her post.
The allegations have not been independently verified. However, the incident highlights the importance of understanding the procedures airlines have in place for children travelling alone.
What parents should know
South African Airways (SAA) offers an unaccompanied minor service for children aged five to 11 travelling without a parent or guardian aged 16 or older. Children under five are not accepted for the service, while passengers aged 12 to 16 are classified as young passengers and do not require special handling unless requested by a parent.
According to SAA’s published guidelines, parents must arrange the service through their local SAA office and obtain authorisation before travel.
Children must be escorted to the airport by a responsible adult and collected at their destination by an authorised adult carrying proof of identification.
SAA states that a designated host will meet the child on arrival, escort them through the airport and personally hand them over to the parent or guardian. Children must also remain under the care of cabin crew or ground staff during transit stops.
Parents should confirm the requirements directly with their chosen airline, as age limits and procedures may differ between carriers and connecting flights.
Preparing children for travel
Thompsons For Travel, which was approached for guidance on travelling with children, recommends checking visa and travel-document requirements well in advance. When a child travels with only one parent, parental-consent documentation may also be required.
The agency advises parents to ask airlines about available support, including children’s meals, in-flight entertainment and other assistance.
Practical preparation is equally important. Packing snacks, activities and a change of clothing in hand luggage can help children feel more comfortable during the journey.
However, Thompsons clarified that its published guidance does not specify minimum ages or supervision procedures for unaccompanied minors, noting that these requirements depend on the airline and itinerary.
Families should also consider their arrangements after landing. Thompsons recommends choosing child-friendly accommodation, checking the availability of kids' clubs or babysitting services, and requesting suitable child car seats when hiring a vehicle.
However, the agency clarified that its published guidance does not set out specific procedures for unaccompanied minors, including minimum ages and supervision arrangements.
"Those requirements may depend on the airline and itinerary, so I can't confirm a Thompsons For Travel policy on that point from the information available here," the agency said.
Before booking, parents should ask who will supervise their child at each stage of the journey, how collection arrangements are verified, what happens if the collecting adult is delayed, and whether supervision extends to connecting flights.
Ultimately, allowing a child to travel alone requires careful preparation and a clear understanding of the arrangements in place from check-in to collection.
The airline involved should be given an opportunity to respond to the mother's allegations and clarify its procedures for supervising and handing over children travelling alone.
IOL