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

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.