In brief
The incident stunned passengers and raised significant security concerns for Delta Airlines and TSA.
On a Delta Airlines flight from New York's JFK International Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle, a stowaway was apprehended after traveling without a boarding pass. The incident occurred earlier this week, as the woman was discovered nearing the end of the flight and taken into custody upon landing in France. According to sources from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the woman successfully went through an advanced imaging technology body scanner at JFK and evaded multiple identity checks during the security screening process. Unconfirmed reports suggest that she bypassed two verification stations before she boarded the aircraft. Despite the alarming breach of security, TSA officials noted that she was not carrying any prohibited items on board.In a statement to CBS News, Delta Airlines emphasized its commitment to safety and security, revealing that an extensive investigation into the incident was underway in collaboration with aviation partners and law enforcement. "Nothing is of greater importance than matters of safety and security," Delta stated.A passenger on the flight captured the moments leading up to the woman's apprehension on video, which recorded the captain informing passengers that authorities were on their way to deal with an "extra passenger." A little after landing, the captain directed all passengers to remain seated while police entered the aircraft to manage the situation. Witness accounts from passengers describe an unusual unfolding during the flight's descent when flight attendants' intercoms started to go off repeatedly. Rob Jackson, a passenger aboard the flight, remarked on the strangeness of the situation, particularly as the crew instructed them to remain seated once they landed. Eyewitness reports suggested that the stowaway had been using the lavatories throughout the journey, further complicating matters. This incident has raised serious questions about airport security protocols and the effectiveness of existing measures to prevent unauthorized access to flights.
