Svetlana Dali, previously convicted of travelling as a stowaway, allegedly boarded a flight from Newark to Milan without a ticket this time. The FBI and TSA have launched an investigation.
The allegation that Svetlana Dali, a Russian-born US citizen previously convicted in the United States for travelling as a stowaway, boarded a flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Milan without a ticket has caused a major stir. An investigation has been launched by the FBI and the relevant authorities.
Dali, who was convicted in November 2024 for boarding a New York–Paris flight without a ticket, is alleged to have used a similar method again. According to information reported by the Associated Press, Dali secretly boarded a Milan-bound flight departing from Newark.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at Newark Liberty International Airport in the US state of New Jersey. It was alleged that Dali bypassed security checks and boarded the flight to Milan.
On Thursday, she was detained at Malpensa Airport in Italy.
According to law enforcement officials, Dali managed to get past ticket counter staff and was not noticed by the flight crew until after the aircraft had taken off. It is reported that the incident has raised serious questions regarding security procedures.
Authorities have launched a detailed review into how Dali managed to pass through airport security checkpoints.
In November 2024, Dali boarded a Delta Air Lines flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Paris without a ticket. Tried in federal court in Brooklyn, Dali was convicted of travelling as a stowaway.
In July 2025, taking into account the time she had already spent in custody, she was sentenced to one year of supervised release and fined 100 dollars.
Prosecutors stated that Dali had passed through security without a boarding pass and remained in the aircraft lavatory during the flight. Dali argued that she boarded the plane seeking medical assistance because she believed military officials had poisoned her; however, she was found guilty by a jury.
Legal Process Ongoing
According to the information obtained, Dali has appealed the decision. The appeal is pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. According to court documents, Dali submitted her appellate brief in December 2025. The government is expected to respond by 4 March 2026.
What Are the Authorities Saying?
FBI spokesperson Emily Molinari told the Associated Press that the bureau’s Newark office is “aware of the alleged stowaway passenger.”
It was stated that the FBI is cooperating within the scope of the open investigation with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Newark Liberty International Airport, and the Transportation Security Administration.
Meanwhile, it was learned that Fox News Digital has requested official statements from the FBI, TSA and United Airlines regarding the matter.
These two consecutive incidents have raised the question of whether there are serious security vulnerabilities in US airport security systems and international flight procedures. Authorities are expected to provide a detailed public statement once the investigation is concluded.
https://www.airportgundem.com/newark-havalimaninda-guvenlik-skandali-biletsiz-yolcu-milanoya-gitti/
