Matteo Clementi and Enrica Apollonio outside court yesterday.

An Italian couple spent the last day of their holiday in a prison cell after they broke through security and dashed onto the airport’s apron to stop a flight leaving without them.

The desperate attempt cost them a fine of €2,329 each, which they will be paying in €300 instalments for the next seven months.

In court, the couple blamed Malta’s traffic for their late arrival at the airport after it took the coach an hour and 45 minutes to get to Luqa from their Paceville hotel.

Lecce couple Matteo Clementi, 26, and his 23-year-old partner Enrica Apollonio, were due to fly back home on a Ryanair flight to Bari on Wednesday afternoon.

Prosecuting inspector Silvio Magro told Magistrate Doreen Clarke that the two had arrived late for their flight, and that the boarding gate had been closed.

But the two rushed to another gate, forced the security door open and ran towards the aircraft. The plane had already started preparing for departure so the couple waved their hands to draw the pilot’s attention before they were arrested by security staff.

In court, the young Italians admitted to entering the restricted zone at the airport without authorisation.

The inspector said the court had imposed fines over less serious security breaches. Breaches of the Airports and Civil Aviation (Security) Act could lead to a fine of at least €2,329, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.

Italian pair spend last night of holiday in jail cell

But defence lawyer Roberto Montalto argued for a suspended jail term instead, saying the couple had no money to pay the fine, which would end up being paid by their relatives.

“Everyone knows what caused the delay,” he joked, referring to the traffic problems.

He noted that Ms Apollonio had celebrated her 23rd birthday in a prison cell rather than with her family.

The lawyer also observed there were no consequences or civil damages resulting from their actions, as the flight departed as scheduled.

But Inspector Magro objected to a suspended sentence, saying that it would send a message that airport security breaches are treated lightly in Malta.

Ultimately, Magistrate Doreen Clarke imposed the minimum fine possible on Mr Clementi and Ms Apollonio, who will each have to pay €2,329.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Malta International Airport explained that the Italian passengers had breached one of the emergency fire doors to access the apron. It said this was beyond the airport’s control and there was no negligence on the part of any of MIA’s security staff.