Woman boards Israel-bound flight at Larnaca airport despite entry ban

On the evening of Monday, October 5, 2026, a security incident occurred at Larnaca International Airport involving a passenger attempting to fly to Tel Aviv. A woman of Georgian origin, who is officially considered an unwelcome person by Israeli authorities, managed to board an aircraft despite being barred from entering the country. While she successfully passed through initial check-in and Cypriot security screenings, police sources indicate she deliberately bypassed final boarding checks performed by airline staff.

The breach was discovered only after the flight crew conducted a final headcount inside the aircraft, revealing one passenger more than the official manifest. Upon identification, the woman was removed from the plane by authorities. The incident caused significant concern among passengers, with some reportedly requesting that the flight be aborted. No criminal charges have been filed against the woman within the Republic of Cyprus, as there were no existing issues against her in the country.

The Department of Civil Aviation has launched an investigation into the security lapse to determine how the passenger circumvented the boarding process. The incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in the coordination between airline staff and ground security protocols during the final stages of boarding.