An investigation is underway by the FBI after Wicliff Fleurizard, a 26-year-old man from George, Texas, was removed from a Delta Air Lines flight at Salt Lake City International Airport for being an unticketed passenger. The incident, which occurred Sunday morning Mar. 17, prompted authorities to arrest Fleurizard, who was attempting to travel to Austin on Flight 1683 without a valid boarding pass for that flight.
According to the criminal complaint, Fleurizard had initially passed through security with a boarding pass, not for the Delta flight, but rather utilizing a “buddy pass” from Southwest Airlines, intending to catch a flight to see family members. When his intended Southwest flight was full, Fleurizard then approached the Delta gate. Security footage captured him photographing other passengers’ boarding passes and apparently using one of these images to illicitly board the Delta aircraft, where he attempted to hide in the lavatories.
Delta Air Lines, in cooperation with law enforcement and federal agencies, is investigating how a non-ticketed individual was escorted off an aircraft prior to departure. The airline emphasized its commitment to security and deferred further inquiries to law enforcement.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) noted that Fleurizard was screened at the checkpoint without incident, using a photo ID that matched the name on the boarding pass he presented. However, Delta confirmed that Fleurizard did not possess a ticket for the flight in question.
Currently held on a federal detainer at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail, Fleurizard’s attempt to surreptitiously travel led to Flight 1683’s departure being delayed by approximately half an hour. This incident has raised questions about airport and airline security processes, coming in the wake of another recent security breach where a woman boarded an American Airlines flight without a boarding pass.
The FBI has declined to comment further on the investigation, highlighting ongoing concerns about ensuring the integrity of airport security and the safety of air travel.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cbsnews.com
