A passenger who attempted to smuggle aboard a Delta Air Lines flight to Hawaii was removed from the plane just before takeoff at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington state .
The traveler was apprehended after being escorted off the plane by crew members who realized the suspect did not have a ticket on him.
After the traveler was discovered without travel documents, the Airbus A321’s takeoff was delayed by more than two hours at the boarding gate, the New York Post THURSDAY.
“We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel and thank them for their patience and cooperation,” the airline responded in a statement.
“As there is nothing more important than safety and security, Delta employees followed procedures to remove an unticketed passenger from the flight,” Delta Air Lines said.
The federal Transportation Security Agency (TSA) said the passenger managed to sneak onto the plane even though he was not authorized to board.
“The individual bypassed the identity and boarding status check stations and boarded a plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport,” TSA added.
