3 passengers removed from Israel-bound TUS Airways flight in Italy

A TUS Airways flight from Bologna, Italy, to Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport was delayed for three hours Monday after three passengers from the Central Asian country of Georgia were removed from the aircraft for additional security screening at the request of Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority.

Kavei Hofsha, the tourism group that owns the airline, said: “Three passengers were removed from the flight for an additional check. In accordance with instructions from Israeli immigration authorities, the airline’s team at Bologna Airport was asked to remove three passengers from the flight for renewed screening.”

TUS Airways said in a statement: “The safety of passengers and crew is our highest priority. The company is cooperating fully with aviation authorities in Israel and around the world.”

The airline also thanked passengers for their patience and understanding, saying, “At no stage was there any danger to the crew or passengers.”

The incident comes just five days after the attempted hijacking of flydubai Flight 1073 and as security alerts have increased worldwide ahead of large-scale demonstrations planned around the third anniversary of the Hamas massacre of Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023.

According to an investigative report by Ynet, two of the Georgian passengers removed from the flight were allegedly attempting to use forged Israeli passports. The report said the passports had nevertheless allowed the passengers to pass through the check-in, border control and security processes required to board the aircraft.

After the three passengers were removed, all other passengers were also required to leave the aircraft with their luggage for additional security screening before the flight could resume.

One passenger, identified by Ynet only as Idit, described the experience.

“After those three passengers were removed from the plane, all of us were taken off as well so our belongings could be checked again. They didn’t explain to us why the flight was delayed or why we were taken off.”

Another passenger was removed from a TUS flight under similar circumstances earlier in the day.

TUS Airways operates flights connecting Israel with destinations in Europe and elsewhere. The airline is owned by Kavei Hofsha, an Israeli tourism company.