In Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, 11-year-old Britain native Joe Thompson may have to sail home out of Yemen in waters Somali pirates are known to operate because of his fear of flying.According to The Sun, Thompson, who was was used to flying, suddenly developed a phobia of flight and the last four times he attempted to board a plane he was unable to do so due to panic attacks.
Thompson’s father Tony, a 63-year-old former aid to John Prescott, was denied the visas necessary to travel through Saudi Arabia by the Saudi government.
They may now have to go back to Oman and board a cargo ship which will travel through Yemeni waters running the risk of pirate attack.