Svetlana Dali, 57, was accused by prosecutors of evading detection by blending in with other travelers on a busy Thanksgiving travel day.
In a shocking incident at Kennedy International Airport, a woman managed to stow away on a flight from New York to France without a passport or boarding pass. Svetlana Dali, 57, exploited security loopholes during a busy travel period, blending in with boarding travelers and flight crew to sneak onto a fully booked Delta Air Lines plane bound for Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
The woman, believed to have migrated from Russia to the United States, attempted to remain undetected during the seven-hour flight by hiding in the aircraft’s bathrooms. Upon her return to New York, she was arrested by F.B.I. agents and charged with “secreting aboard a vessel,” facing a potential five-year prison sentence if convicted.
This incident has raised serious concerns about airport security and the effectiveness of screening procedures. Federal prosecutors highlighted the need for stricter measures to prevent such breaches in the future. Magistrate Judge Robert Levy ordered Ms. Dali to be held in custody pending bail approval and verification of her residence to mitigate the risk of flight.
The case of the woman stowing away on the flight underscores the importance of robust security protocols at airports to safeguard passengers and prevent unauthorized access to aircraft. Authorities must address vulnerabilities in the system to ensure the safety and integrity of air travel.
Source: The NY Times
