Gatwick Airport was rocked by a significant security breach on the morning of May 28, 2025, when a 24-year-old man named William Jonzi managed to sneak through security and attempt to board a TUI flight bound for Palma de Mallorca without proper authorization or documents.
According to reports from The Sun and the Evening Standard, Jonzi followed a paying passenger through the electronic gates at Gatwick's south terminal, effectively tailgating his way past security. Despite being screened by security personnel and cleared to proceed airside, Jonzi's intentions quickly raised alarm as he made his way to Gate 23, where the Ascend Airways-operated TUI jet was preparing for its 6 a.m. departure.
Jimmy McBride, a father from Sussex and passenger on the flight, noticed Jonzi's erratic behavior and described the unsettling scene. "I felt something was off as Jonzi shouted, 'I’ve got to get on the plane' and charged towards the aircraft," McBride told The Sun. "I grabbed him as he got two feet on the plane. He was trying to get on and get towards the passengers."
Jonzi reportedly attempted to board the flight alongside another woman, even pretending that her pram belonged to him in an effort to gain access. Cabin crew had already informed Jonzi that he was not permitted to board, repeatedly telling him, "Sir, we’ve told you, you can’t come on." Despite these warnings, Jonzi persisted, prompting McBride to intervene physically.
McBride wrestled Jonzi to the ground in front of terrified families and children, but the cabin crew initially misinterpreted the struggle as a fight between the two men. They instructed McBride to release Jonzi, seemingly unaware that McBride was trying to prevent an unauthorized boarding. The plane's crew held Jonzi at the front of the aircraft until police arrived to take him into custody.
Fellow passenger Dayna White, 29, who was traveling with her mother Andrea on what was supposed to be a 10-night family holiday, described the incident as "a bit concerning." She said, "It’s my first holiday with my child, so it wasn’t a good experience. We’re going to put a complaint in. He had been loitering around, so it’s hardly as if it was a shock that he’d try to get on that plane." The disruption caused the flight to depart at 8:20 a.m., more than two hours and twenty minutes behind schedule.
Jonzi, a Croydon resident, faced the Crawley magistrates' court on May 29, 2025, where he pleaded guilty to entering a protected security area of an airport without permission. The court fined him £120 and ordered him to pay £89 in costs and surcharges.
This incident has raised serious concerns about airport security protocols, especially regarding the automatic e-gates and the screening process. Despite Jonzi being screened and cleared to proceed airside, his unauthorized attempt to board the plane highlights a vulnerability that could have had far more severe consequences.
Gatwick Airport declined to comment on the incident, and TUI sources noted that the flight was operated by another carrier working in cooperation with the police. The swift response of passengers like Jimmy McBride, who intervened before the situation escalated, was crucial in preventing potential harm.
Security breaches at airports, while rare, have been increasingly scrutinized in recent years. Last year, similar incidents were reported involving individuals sneaking onto flights to destinations such as New York and Copenhagen. These events have prompted calls for enhanced security measures and tighter controls at airport checkpoints.
For passengers like Dayna White and her family, the incident was a jarring interruption to what should have been a relaxing holiday start. The experience underscores the ripple effects that security lapses can have, not only on flight schedules but also on passenger safety and peace of mind.
As airports worldwide continue to balance efficiency with security, Gatwick’s recent scare serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in safeguarding air travel. It also highlights the importance of vigilant passengers and crew who can act decisively when protocols fall short.
With Jonzi's case now concluded, authorities are likely reviewing procedures to prevent similar breaches. The incident at Gatwick may well serve as a catalyst for improvements in how airports monitor and manage access to secure areas, ensuring safer skies for everyone.
