Am I an international child abductor??

Appalling.
Does she actually want him - other than to use him as a stick to beat you with?

What was the order of the court & could she be held to be in breach?

Why not just apply for custody here in the UK - she can fly here and deal with it if she feels so strongly.

Clearly she doesn't want your son, her behaviour shows that. You want your son as you were willing to get him over here for xmas.

Granted not my child and don't know the back story on how you separated, terms etc or why she became a thunderc**t over night about it all.

You've done all you can she is being the bellend over it all. I would just get legal representation here and start proceedings, in the mean while for your and your sons sanity get him in a school or something get some stability round him.

As I said its simple for me to say but putting it into practice is different.

good luck regardless.

I hope you get this sorted out.

My lad has just turned 5, completely with you that I wouldn’t want him flying alone, that’s mad.

Just read through and wish you the best OP. Sounds like a mess

but working in the aviation industry, i'll offer the below;

Airlines don't let under 14s fly alone. End of.

Anyone under this age have to pay for an un-accompanied minor service, which they are escorted to the gate, onto the aircraft and the purser is responsible for them, and then upon arrival, ground staff meet the child and escort them to arrivals to an appropriate adult.

While they are 'alone' the purser and the crew are aware of their situation, and they have attention throughout the flight. UMs are not even allowed to sit next to a person of opposite sex. It's heavily regulated, especially in the UK.

It's fairly common, I see this everyday, but i'll admit, not at an age as low as this, usually 8-13.

I hope you work this out, but i'm just here to say that when this is sorted, don't worry about the flight, it's all covered under the UM service.

Of course their emotions I can't cover, leaving a 5 year old away from anyone they know along a 12 hour flight would be heartbreaking, but you have been forced into this situation.

And if an 'appropriate adult' doesn't bother to show up ? Then what ?

Hope you get it sorted ok Petrus.

Op, I’ve used this fellas services to sort out a few issues. Admittedly not as complicated as your current dilemma. But, what you’re dealing with is very much within his portfolio of expertise.
Also, he’s a bloody decent bloke and a petrol head to boot

https://thrings.com/our-people/matthew-kellow

Would it be possible for you to have him live with you? Work/living arrangements, would they allow it?

No idea how Courts would view her behaviour but at the very least what she is doing to a 5 year is emotional abuse and the child need stability.

Good luck, as the parent of two children who suffered emotional abuse at the hands of their father I know the toll it can take, my eldest self harmed and was walking a fine suicidal path in her early teens. thankfully she appears more balanced now.

So take it to court and whether they allow it or not becomes moot.

I’ve written to Matthew Kellow as suggested above - when I’ve heard back from him I’ll be able to update more.