A stowaway caused a disturbance on a Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Paris and remains in France after being removed from a return flight to the United States. The woman, who did not have a boarding pass, managed to bypass security checkpoints at JFK International Airport and hide in the aircraft’s bathrooms during the flight to Paris.
The incident occurred on a busy travel day before Thanksgiving, with nearly 2.7 million passengers flying that day. Despite not carrying any prohibited items, the stowaway was able to board the plane and cause a security issue upon landing in Paris.
Delta Air Lines is working with law enforcement to investigate the incident, emphasizing the importance of safety and security. The TSA is also conducting its own investigation and could issue a civil penalty to the woman once she is sent back to the US.
Passengers on the flight were instructed to remain seated after landing so that French police could deal with the security issue. The stowaway, a woman in her 50s or 60s with a Russian passport, is currently waiting in France for her return flight to be rescheduled.
The FBI and Customs and Border Protection have been contacted for more information on the incident. The TSA, along with other aviation stakeholders, is working to determine how the woman managed to bypass security measures at the airport and board the flight without a boarding pass.
As the investigation continues, it is important for authorities to address any lapses in security to prevent similar incidents in the future. The safety and security of passengers should always be a top priority for airlines and airport authorities.
