An American Airlines Airbus A321-200 plane takes off from Los Angeles International airport in Los Angeles, California, U.S. March 28, 2018. Photo by Reuters
A 32-year-old man has been fined nearly US$60,000 for skipping security at Philadelphia International Airport and illegally boarding an American Airlines flight without undergoing the required screening, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Jonathan Beaulieu pleaded guilty in February to the incident, which took place in June 2024.
He boarded the aircraft without Transportation Security Administration (TSA) clearance, triggering a major security breach that forced the airline to cancel the flight and absorb significant losses, according to Business Insider.
Beaulieu attempted to re-enter the secure airside area by claiming he had left his cellphone behind. When denied re-entry, he tried to bribe the security guard with a $50 bill and forcibly bypassed her, evading security screening, Aviation A2Z reported.
Surveillance footage later confirmed that Beaulieu had successfully boarded the American Airlines flight. By the time authorities arrived at the gate, the aircraft door had already closed, and the flight was preparing for departure.
The whole plane had to be searched due to possible security risks, leading to the flight being canceled for full security sweep, resulting in $59,143 in direct losses.
Beaulieu was arrested shortly after the breach and was charged with violating federal regulations by entering a secured airport area without authorization.
No jail time has been imposed, but he was placed on probation for one year.