A series of blunders by airport security staff in the United Kingdom have raised concerns that, despite increased restrictions and checks on passengers and baggage, British airports are simply not prepared for a possible terrorist threat.

In one incident on Monday, a 12-year-old boy was able to board a plane without a ticket, remaining unchallenged until just before take-off — after he had been served a drink by flight attendants. It was later revealed that the boy had run away from a care home, and was being sought by police when he was able to board the plane unchallenged.

Public outcry increased following events on Wednesday, in which a 59-year-old woman was able to carry matches and hand cream — banned under the new regulations — onto a flight from London to Washington, D.C. Airport security staff had previously stated that transatlantic flights would be operating under the highest levels of security, and that passengers on them would be subjected to the highest levels of scrutiny, following last week’s foiled terrorist plot. The incident resulted in the woman being restrained by flight attendants as the plane received a fighter-plane escort in its diversion to Boston. The woman was arrested in Boston, Mass., on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, Gatwick airport experienced a security scare as a passenger was able to board a plane after passengers had left. After smashing an alarmed door lock, the man walked onto the plane with a briefcase, claiming to be looking for his wallet; he had in fact been on an entirely different plane to the one he boarded. Cleaning staff described a man “sweating profusely” and standing near the cockpit of the plane; however, security staff later cleared his story and allowed him to continue his journey. Thomas Cook Airlines, the company who owned the plane, demanded answers from the British Airports Authority as to how “a passenger with no Thomas Cook travel documentation was able to access a restricted area”. BAA claimed that the incident was not a serious breach of security.

Events such as these have led to airports receiving scathing criticism from many officials. British Airways CEO Willie Walsh on Tuesday lashed out at the British Airports Authority for their handling of the situation; as the BBC reports, Walsh claims that BAA managers had “no adequate plan” following the emergency, and that mismanagement led to the cancelling of hundreds of flights and misplacement of up to 10,000 pieces of luggage.

“BAA had no plan to keep the airport functioning properly”, Mr Walsh stated, adding that British Airways were considering legal action against BAA. He was joined in his criticism of BAA by Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, who stated that BAA’s mismanagement was “allowing the terrorists to disrupt the airline transport industry of the UK”.

Restrictions on luggage are gradually being reduced back to their normal levels following the temporary ramping-up of security in the wake of last week’s foiled plot. However, events this week have led many to question BAA’s capabilities, and question whether or not Britain’s airports are truly ready for a terrorist attack — and whether increased security measures are truly the panacea their supporters claim them to be.