Flydubai Effect: Three Passengers Removed from Flight from Italy to Israel

On a TUS Airways flight from Bologna to Tel Aviv, three passengers—citizens of Georgia—were removed. Two attempted to enter Israel with forged Israeli passports, and the third was denied entry. The departure was delayed by three hours, and all luggage was sent for re-screening. This is the second incident on TUS flights in 24 hours, following the discovery of an unaccounted passenger in Larnaca.

On Sunday, October 5, three passengers—citizens of Georgia—were removed from a TUS Airways flight traveling from Bologna to Tel Aviv. The decision was made at the request of the Israel Population and Immigration Authority. Two passengers intended to enter Israel using forged Israeli passports (darkon), while the third was barred from entry. The flight was delayed by three hours, and all luggage had to be unloaded and re-screened. The passengers left the aircraft and returned to the terminal. One passenger on the flight reported that no explanation was given for the delay. TUS Airways stated that safety is the top priority and emphasized that passengers and crew were not at risk. The company 'Kavei Hufsha', affiliated with TUS, confirmed that the removal was carried out in accordance with immigration authorities' instructions. This is the second incident on TUS flights in the past 24 hours. Earlier, on the night of October 5, at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus, the crew discovered an 'unaccounted' passenger who had boarded without passing through border control. She was removed from the flight and handed over to police. Both incidents occurred amid heightened Israeli alertness for potential airborne attacks following an attempted attack on a Flydubai flight five days earlier.