Svetlana Dali arrested for attempting to stow away on Newark-to-Milan flight.

Svetlana Dali, a stowaway previously convicted for sneaking onto a flight, has once again attracted law enforcement’s attention following her recent arrest in Italy. On Wednesday, Dali managed to illegally board a United Airlines flight from Newark to Milan, further complicating her ongoing legal battles. This incident revives serious concerns regarding airport security measures, especially in light of her history involving unauthorized boarding of commercial flights.

Authorities reported that Dali was apprehended at Malpensa Airport after staff discovered she had entered the aircraft without a valid ticket. Although it remains uncertain whether Dali will face new charges in connection with this latest incident, the situation has prompted investigations by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials, as well as the Port Authority police. They are currently reviewing surveillance footage to decode how Dali successfully passed through security and accessed the plane unnoticed.

Dali, who had not let her previous conviction hinder her attempts at free air travel, was sentenced to time served last year after a jury found her guilty of stowing away on a Delta flight headed to Paris. Her initial unauthorized journey on November 26, 2024, drew widespread media attention as she managed to evade security protocols designed to keep the skies safe.

At her prior sentencing, Dali had conveyed to U.S. District Court Judge Ann Donnelly that her actions were driven by a belief that she was under threat from poisoning by criminals. Her defense team’s reports indicated that she suffers from a delusional disorder, which has complicated her legal standing and raised questions about her mental health.

With Dali’s track record of attempted stowaway incidents — including attempts in Connecticut and Miami just prior to her arrest in Italy — the implications for her future are profound. After her sentencing in July of last year, a pending criminal case related to her earlier attempt at Bradley International Airport meant she was intended to be re-arrested. However, a miscommunication with Connecticut State Police allowed her to be released from federal custody, leading to her escalating series of unauthorized flights.

Upon her return to the U.S., Dali could face significant legal repercussions, including violations of supervised release in Brooklyn Federal Court. As investigations into her recent stowaway episode unfold, more attention will likely be directed toward airport security measures and mental health issues intertwined with aviation law. The case perpetuates discussions about the safety protocols in place at major airports and raises vital questions regarding the intersection of mental health and legal accountability.

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