Stowaway Drama: Russian Woman Denied Return Flight from Paris
After a dramatic standoff at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, a Russian woman who stowed away on a Delta flight to France last week faced further delays in her return to the United States.
The 57-year-old woman, who evaded multiple security checkpoints at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, was supposed to board a flight back to the US on Saturday. However, she was removed from the aircraft just before takeoff after she began loudly protesting.
"She kept on saying ‘I do not want to go back to the USA. Only a judge can make me go back to the USA,’” said Gary Treichler, a passenger who witnessed the incident.
French authorities attempted to fly her back to New York on Tuesday, but Delta Air Lines refused to allow her on board. French officials are now working on a plan to return her to the US with a security escort.
This incident has raised serious questions about airport security protocols at JFK Airport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is currently reviewing surveillance footage to determine how the woman managed to bypass security checkpoints and board the initial flight.
"The TSA will open civil cases against passengers when there’s evidence that procedures may have been violated,” TSA spokesperson Alexa Lopez stated.
While the TSA cannot pursue criminal charges, they may refer the case to the Department of Justice.
Delta Air Lines has declined to comment on the specific details of the security breach but has confirmed that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.
This case highlights a serious lapse in airport security and underscores the importance of robust security measures. It also raises broader questions about how individuals can exploit vulnerabilities in the system and the potential consequences for both airlines and passengers.
