A shocking breach of airport security at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport has raised concerns about the vulnerabilities of the airline industry. A woman was arrested on charges of being a stowaway on an international flight, sparking calls for improved security measures.
According to reports, the woman managed to evade detection by using facial recognition technology to bypass the first identity verification station at the airport. She then made her way onto the plane without a ticket and hid in one of the bathrooms until the flight attendants checked the lavatories.
Experts say that electronic gates with facial recognition systems could prevent similar incidents in the future. TSA Administrator David Pekoske said that installing e-gates would be a solution to ensuring all passengers are screened.
The incident is not an isolated case, as there have been two stowaway incidents on Delta flights this year. The latest incident highlights the need for improved security measures to prevent such breaches in the future.
TSA officials plan to question the woman about how she evaded airport security and face a federal charge for being a stowaway on a vessel or aircraft without consent. She could face up to five years in prison.
The agency has also opened a civil case against the woman, with penalties expected to be significant. The incident is a wake-up call for the airline industry to review its security protocols and take action to prevent similar breaches.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/04/us/delta-stowaway-airport-tsa/index.html