Norwegian stowaway exposes alarming airport security lapse
Travelling by plane involves passing through security checks. Even the most stringent checks can be ineffective. A young Norwegian who managed to board a plane without a ticket but with a knife in his pocket illustrates this.
The situation at Munich Airport highlights that security checks and implemented measures are not always effective. This was demonstrated by the young Norwegian, who managed to fly not once but twice without a ticket and with a knife in his pocket. According to "Rzeczpospolita," encouraged by the success of his two aerial escapades, he attempted to stow away for the third time, this time from Hamburg. He was caught only because all the seats on the plane were taken.
It is unclear how the man managed to pass through the gates, which open after scanning a special code from the boarding pass. Authorities suspect the Norwegian might have moved close to a passenger with such a card and slipped through before the gate closed. These are speculations, however, which police investigations may confirm.
It remains a mystery how the man managed to bring a knife on board the plane, as this should have been detected during the scan. The young Norwegian will be held accountable for being in a part of the airport he had no right to be in and for flying without a ticket.
After the incidents, Munich Airport authorities are trying to determine why security checks failed and are announcing tougher existing procedures. New cameras are to be installed, among other measures. The airport's procedures are also being examined by the police.
Serious problems at airports
The situation with the stowaway passenger did not escape the attention of Andreas Rosskopf, chairman of the German Police Union. In a comment to Bild, he said: "In my entire career, I have not had a case like this one."
Climate activists cut through fences and glue themselves to runways, and now a ticketless man flies around Europe—added Rosskopf.
