Unaccompanied minors (UM)
Children traveling without a companion are known as “unaccompanied minors” (UM). Some airlines provide special assistance for them at the airport and on board. This makes sure that your child arrives safely at his destination even when traveling alone. Should you have any further questions, contact airline your child is traveling with.
Minors under 4 years of age
The UM passenger status is limited to children between 4 and 12 years of age. Some airlines offer this service for children below 4 years of age, usually at extra charge. Inquire from your airline the conditions for children below 4 years of age traveling alone or with someone other than a paren.
Minors between 4 and 12 years of age
Your unaccompanied child travels, sometimes at extra charge, as an UM passenger. Inquire from your airline the conditions.
Minors over 12 years of age
Airlines are not legally responsible for children over 12 years of age but can provide assistance in the event of problems.
An UM service may be offered until 18 years of age at extra charge.
WHAT DOES THE UM SERVICE INCLUDE?
The assistance staff will collect your child from check-in at the airport and accompany your child through passport control and security, and stay with him or her until he or she boards the aircraft. There one of the cabin crew will take over responsibility for him or her from take-off to landing. At the destination another member of staff will assume responsibility for your child and take him or her through passport control and customs to the terminal, where your child will be handed over to the person designated by you to collect him or her.
TIPS:
- Advise your airline of the need to assist UM
- Please be at the airport early, with your child, to check in - at least two hours before the flight's scheduled departure - and remain at the airport until their flight has actually departed.
- You will need to complete check-in formalities in order to accept your child for travel.
- You will be asked for the completed and signed Declaration Form, that advises the airline who will be collecting your child at the end of their journey.
- You will be asked for your contact details in case there is any disruption to flights.
- Keep carry-on luggage to a minimum. Remind the child of the bags for which he or she is responsible. Make sure each of the child's bags has an identification tag with his or her name.
- Prepare all travel documentation your child will require. Please note that there are special visa regulations for children in some countries.
- Make sure that an authorized adult is at the destination airport much in advance to collect your child and has ID with him/her.