New details have emerged about the security breach at Ben Gurion Airport in which a 13-year-old boy boarded an El Al flight to the United States without a passport or ticket — a serious lapse that went undetected until moments before takeoff.
According to a source familiar with the incident, the teen aroused the suspicion of flight attendants after he was seen wandering aimlessly through the cabin, appearing lost. The flight was not full, and the boy reportedly moved between several seats in a way that raised concern. As the aircraft taxied toward the runway, crew members briefly questioned him and then removed him from the plane.
The new revelations suggest that had the boy remained calm and simply sat in an empty seat, he likely would have taken off with the flight.
Airport authorities confirmed that the incident remains under investigation. El Al said in a statement that the boy had passed through all airport security and border control procedures before boarding, without being flagged. “He was removed safely before departure,” the airline said, adding that the matter is being examined in coordination with the Israel Airports Authority.
Ynet has learned that the boy's parents are in the midst of a dispute and that he was returned to his mother following the incident.
The incident has raised serious questions about the security and screening procedures at Israel’s main international airport, particularly for U.S.-bound flights, which require multiple layers of vetting. These typically include a pre-check-in security interview, verified travel documents, biometric scans at boarding gates and cross-checks with approved passenger lists.
Despite those safeguards, the boy managed to bypass each stage, including the final biometric checkpoint at the gate, where passengers are required to scan their boarding pass and present a valid passport. That system, considered nearly foolproof, failed to detect the anomaly.
Aviation and security experts say the incident exposes a serious systemic failure. While El Al’s crew ultimately responded appropriately by removing the child before takeoff, the fact that he was able to reach the aircraft door without proper documentation underscores what officials described as a multi-agency lapse — involving airport security, border control, the airline and ground staff.
The Israel Airports Authority said Wednesday the breach is under internal review, and additional measures are being considered to prevent future incidents.