A Russian citizen with a history of airport security breaches has reportedly stowed away on another international flight. Svetlana Dali, 57, is accused of boarding a United Airlines flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Milan without a valid ticket. She was taken into custody upon arrival at Malpensa Airport in Milan on Thursday.
This incident marks at least the third time Dali has been involved in unauthorized access to secure airport areas or flights. Authorities are now investigating how she managed to bypass security protocols at a major U.S. international airport.
Key Takeaways
- Svetlana Dali, 57, allegedly stowed away on a United Airlines flight from Newark to Milan.
- She was apprehended at Malpensa Airport in Milan on Thursday.
- Dali was previously convicted for a similar incident on a Delta flight from JFK to Paris in November 2024.
- Other incidents include hiding in a secure area at Miami International Airport and accessing a secure terminal at Bradley International Airport.
- The FBI and other agencies are investigating the latest security breach at Newark.
Details of the Latest Incident
Reports indicate that Svetlana Dali bypassed the ticket agent at Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday. She then allegedly boarded a flight bound for Milan without a boarding pass. Flight crew reportedly did not discover her presence until the aircraft was already airborne.
Upon landing in Milan, Italian authorities took Dali into custody at Malpensa Airport. The FBI's Newark office confirmed it is aware of the alleged stowaway incident. Emily Molinari, an FBI spokesperson, stated that the agency is collaborating with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Newark Airport, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on an ongoing investigation.
Fast Fact
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened approximately 858 million passengers and crew members in 2023 across U.S. airports.
Previous Stowaway Conviction
This is not the first time Dali has faced charges for stowing away on a flight. In November 2024, she was involved in a similar incident at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. On that occasion, she boarded a Delta Air Lines flight to Paris without a ticket.
Prosecutors stated that Dali bypassed security at JFK and entered the Delta plane. She was later found in the airline's bathroom during the flight. Dali claimed she boarded the flight to seek medical treatment, believing the military had poisoned her. A jury found her guilty of the stowaway charge.
Background on Dali's Legal History
In July 2025, a Brooklyn federal court sentenced Dali to time served for the 2024 JFK incident. She also received one year of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $100 fee. Dali has appealed this ruling, and her appellate case is currently pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. Court documents show she submitted a brief in December 2025, with the government expected to respond by March 4, 2026.
Pattern of Airport Security Breaches
Svetlana Dali has a documented history of breaching airport security at various locations. Beyond the two international flight incidents, other events highlight a persistent pattern of unauthorized access.
In February 2024, customs agents reportedly found Dali hiding in a bathroom within a secure international arrivals area at Miami International Airport. She claimed to have arrived on an Air France flight. However, a government memo indicated no record of her being on any flight that day or of her departing the U.S. in the previous five years.
"The FBI is working with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey... and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on this open investigation," stated FBI spokesperson Emily Molinari regarding the Newark incident.
Just two days before the JFK incident in November 2024, Dali also accessed a secure area of the departures terminal at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. These repeated incidents raise significant questions about airport security measures and their effectiveness in preventing unauthorized access.
Impact on Air Travel Security
Each security breach, particularly those involving international flights, prompts a review of existing protocols. The focus is often on identifying vulnerabilities in passenger screening, boarding procedures, and facility access controls. Airlines and airport authorities face pressure to ensure the safety and security of all travelers.
The repeated nature of Dali's alleged actions suggests a need for enhanced vigilance and potentially new strategies to prevent individuals with a history of such incidents from accessing secure airport areas. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing efficient travel with robust security.
- November 2024: Allegedly boarded Delta flight from JFK to Paris without a ticket.
- February 2024: Found hiding in a secure area at Miami International Airport.
- Days before JFK incident: Accessed secure area at Bradley International Airport.
- February 2026: Allegedly boarded United flight from Newark to Milan without a ticket.
Authorities will likely analyze how Dali managed to navigate past multiple checkpoints. This includes examining potential gaps in ticket verification, boarding gate surveillance, and communication between airline staff and security personnel. The outcome of the current investigation will be crucial for informing future security enhancements at U.S. airports.
