NT Child Custody - Unaccompanied International Travel

[Mum]

Hi.
My ex- husband and I are permitted to take our two children (currently aged between 9-12 ) on an overseas holiday during the the portion of school holidays that they will spend with each parent. I have just received a message from him to say that he intends to go to the United Kingdom next June with the children, his new wife and baby for a family holiday for the duration if the holidays (4 weeks) and that I can meet the children in the United Kingdom at the commencement of the second half of the holidays or he will send them back to Australia unaccompanied.
Is this allowed? This would involve either considerable expense to me or them being alone for up to 24 hours transiting through at least one other country. There are no direct flights from UK to,where we live.

I have 6 months to try to get together the money to pay for a return international flight.

 

[AllForHer]

Is it allowed? Yes, children over the age of 6 can be booked as unaccompanied minors at an additional cost, and I do believe this is a safe option because they are assigned airline staff to escort them.

However, it isn't ideal. Perhaps you could negotiate an outcome with him, such as him paying for half your return flight?

 

[Mum]

Hi. Thanks for that. And just to clarify this applies to international travel? Going through immigration and customs?

I'll certainly take on board your advice

Thanks again

 

[AllForHer]

Yes, it does apply to international travel - there are no laws restricting international travel for unaccompanied minors, but I think it's relevant to your cause to know that airlines are quite reluctant to do so and only tend to do so in small numbers, some only on short-haul international flights.

 

[Mum]

Thanks again.