An unusual incident disrupted an Arkia flight from Amsterdam to Israel over the weekend after a passenger mistakenly boarded the aircraft with a ticket for a different flight. The plane was forced to return to its parking stand before takeoff, and a separate technical malfunction later caused an additional delay.

The incident occurred after the aircraft had already begun taxiing toward the runway. During final pre-departure procedures, it was discovered that one of the passengers on board did not have a ticket for that flight, prompting the crew to return the aircraft to the gate.

Eran, a passenger aboard the flight, told Mako that the pilot informed travelers they would be returning to the stand before takeoff. According to him, flight attendants later explained that the delay was due to a security-related incident involving a passenger who had boarded the wrong flight.

“The flight attendants told us there was a security incident and that we were returning because a passenger had boarded the flight without the proper ticket,” Eran said.

He said security personnel arrived within minutes and escorted the passenger off the aircraft.

“Within a few minutes, security personnel arrived and removed him. How is it possible for someone without the correct ticket to reach the boarding gate, pass the final inspection by the gate agents, and take a seat on a plane that is about to depart for Israel? This isn’t an ordinary delay—it’s a serious security failure that requires an investigation and clear explanations.”

Eran added that passengers were given little information as the situation unfolded.

“We weren’t given organized information, and no one provided clear answers to our questions,” he said. “People were under a lot of stress. It felt like some of those involved didn’t fully understand the seriousness of the incident or the distress of the hundreds of passengers who were confined to the aircraft for such a long time.”

Even after the passenger was removed, the flight did not depart immediately. A separate technical issue with the aircraft was later discovered, causing another delay before takeoff.

Arkia said in a statement: “During preparations for the departure of an Arkia flight from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv, while conducting the passenger count prior to takeoff, it was discovered that one passenger had mistakenly boarded the aircraft while holding a boarding pass for a different flight.

“The passenger, who was not traveling with checked baggage, had successfully completed all airport security and screening procedures in Amsterdam. As soon as the mistake was identified, he was removed from the aircraft and transferred to the flight on which he was actually booked.

“We emphasize that the technical malfunction discovered later on the aircraft, which required the plane to return to the stand before resuming its journey after repairs, was completely unrelated to the passenger incident. These were two entirely separate events.”