Travel

Stowaway Evades Security, Boards Delta Flight from NYC to Paris

A stowaway bypassed airport checks at JFK, sparking serious security concerns after landing in Paris.

A stowaway managed to bypass multiple security checkpoints at New York’s JFK International Airport and board a Delta Airlines flight to Paris, raising critical concerns about airport security. The individual, a U.S. green card holder with a Russian passport, successfully boarded Delta flight 264 to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport without a boarding pass and concealed themselves during the journey, according to the TSA.

The breach was only discovered when the plane landed in Paris, prompting an announcement for passengers to remain seated while French police handled the “serious security issue.” Passenger Rob Jackson reported that the stowaway hid in the aircraft’s rear lavatories, periodically moving between them during the flight.

The woman, believed to be between 55 and 60 years old, is now detained in Charles de Gaulle’s ZAPI zone for deportees. She had previously applied for asylum in France but does not meet entry conditions for Europe, officials said.

Delta and the TSA are conducting thorough investigations into how the individual bypassed two identity verification and boarding stations. TSA confirmed that the person was screened and carried no prohibited items, but details of the security breach remain unclear.

This alarming incident occurred on one of the year’s busiest travel days, with nearly 2.7 million passengers passing through TSA checkpoints. A former commercial pilot, JP Tristani, described the security failure as “inconceivable,” emphasizing the gravity of the lapse.

Delta pledged to work with law enforcement and aviation stakeholders to ensure the safety of its passengers and prevent similar breaches in the future.

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