Veteran Stowaway Strikes on Newark-Milan Flight Again
A stowaway incident occurred aboard United Flight 19 traveling from Newark to Milan, involving a repeat offender. Svetlana Dali, a Russian citizen residing in the U.S., was apprehended after sneaking onto the flight on Wednesday, which departed Newark Liberty International Airport at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET.
Details of the Incident
Upon boarding, Dali managed to evade ticketing agents. It wasn’t until the flight was already over the Atlantic Ocean that the crew recognized her presence without a valid ticket. When questioned about her travel status, she feigned inability to hear the in-flight staff.
Previous Offenses
This recent incident marks a continuation of Dali’s stowaway activities. In May, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted her for a similar charge related to an unauthorized flight from New York to Paris on November 26, 2024. She received a sentence of time served for that infraction.
- Previous Incident: Unauthorized Delta flight from New York to Paris
- Date: November 26, 2024
- Sentence: Time served
- Earlier Attempt: Attempted to bypass security at Bradley International Airport near Hartford, CT
- Other Encounter: Found hiding in a bathroom at Miami International Airport
Legal Representation
As of now, it remains uncertain whether Dali has retained legal counsel following her latest arrest. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI have not provided any comments regarding her case, leaving some aspects unclear.
This latest occurrence emphasizes ongoing security concerns surrounding stowaway incidents on commercial flights. Authorities continue to investigate how Dali repeatedly accessed secure airport areas without being detected.
