Federal charges filed after man boarded Air France Phoenix-to-Paris flight using invalid boarding pass

Incident triggered aircraft evacuation and delayed departure at Phoenix Sky Harbor

Federal authorities have charged a man after investigators say he boarded an international Air France flight at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport using an invalid boarding pass and then refused repeated orders to leave the aircraft.

Investigators allege the man, identified in court filings as Qais Ahmad Tillawi, purchased a ticket online shortly before the scheduled departure of Air France Flight 69 from Phoenix to Paris on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Court documents state the airline canceled the boarding pass minutes later after the payment was flagged as unauthorized. Despite that cancellation, investigators say Tillawi proceeded to the airport and cleared the security checkpoint, then entered the aircraft.

What investigators say happened on the aircraft

Once on board, investigators allege Tillawi did not take a seat and instead paced in the economy cabin. Flight crew members attempted to verify his travel status and identity, and his name did not appear on the flight’s passenger list, according to the filings. The captain ordered him to disembark, but investigators say he refused to comply and did not respond verbally to instructions, instead typing messages on a phone.

With the individual still on board, the aircraft was evacuated so police could remove him safely, authorities allege. After the cabin was emptied, Phoenix police escorted him off the plane. The incident resulted in a significant departure delay.

Items recovered and criminal allegations

In a post-arrest search described in federal records, investigators reported finding multiple forms of identification and financial cards among Tillawi’s belongings. The filings describe approximately 20 credit or bank cards and multiple driver’s licenses from different states, as well as passports and additional identification documents. Investigators also reported the presence of several badges described as employee IDs from various companies.

• Charge 1: Interference with flight crew members.
• Charge 2: Entering an aircraft in violation of security requirements.

Background details raised in court filings

Court records also reference information investigators said they obtained from a family member regarding prior behavioral health and substance-use concerns, and a previous incident at an overseas airport in 2024. Those details have not been adjudicated and were included as part of the investigative narrative.

The criminal case will proceed in federal court. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The incident has drawn renewed attention to how airlines, airports and federal screening systems coordinate passenger verification from ticket purchase through boarding, particularly on international departures where identity checks and passenger list controls play a central role in aircraft security.