Quantcast

El Al discovers teenage stowaway on Tel Aviv–New York flight amid security concerns

US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
El Al discovers teenage stowaway on Tel Aviv–New York flight amid security concerns
Policy
Webp 17
Shmuel Zakay, Managing Director of Ben Gurion International Airport | CyberWeek

Earlier this week, a 13-year-old boy was discovered as a stowaway on an El Al flight preparing to depart from Tel Aviv, Israel, to New York, United States. The incident has drawn attention due to the strict security measures at Ben Gurion International Airport, which is recognized for its rigorous protocols.

The teenager managed to bypass multiple layers of airport security and passport control before boarding the aircraft bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. According to El Al's statement: "The flight crew saw a boy who boarded the plane without a ticket or passport after passing all security and border control stages at Ben Gurion. The boy was safely removed from the plane."

Reports indicate that the boy entered the airside area and spent time in the duty-free section before making his way onto the US-bound aircraft. He was found sitting in a seat reserved for crew members, raising suspicion among cabin staff who then alerted authorities. The child was subsequently removed from the plane prior to departure and returned to his mother.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Israeli officials have described the event as a 'multi-agency failure' and have initiated an investigation into how such a breach could occur despite extensive security procedures. It is believed that the boy evaded detection by staying close to adults while moving through checkpoints.

El Al operates three daily flights between Tel Aviv and New York JFK, typically using Boeing 787 aircraft but occasionally deploying Boeing 777s as well. The journey usually takes about 12 hours gate-to-gate.

Ben Gurion Airport's security measures include initial questioning at check-in, document checks, baggage scans at security checkpoints, biometric verification at passport control, and further document inspection during boarding. Despite these precautions—which have contributed to no terror-related casualties at the airport in over four decades—critics have raised concerns about alleged racial profiling within these processes.

This incident underscores potential vulnerabilities even within some of the world's most stringent aviation security systems.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025