An Indonesian man was caught disguising as his wife in her niqab, and using her identification, as well as her negative Covid-19 test result, to travel from Jakarta to North Maluku via a Citilink flight.

Caught by flight attendant

Indonesia-based mews outlet Suara reported that the man, with the initials DW, presented a negative Covid-19 test to the staff at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport.

It turned out that he had used his wife's Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result under the name of Nurul.

The man had managed to conceal his identity and get past airport security by donning a niqab, an Islamic headgear which only exposes the wearer's eyes.

He was caught mid-air when a flight attendant noticed that he had changed from his niqab to a shirt after leaving the plane's toilet.

Tested positive for Covid-19

Upon landing at Sultan Babullah Ternete Airport, the flight attendant contacted airport staff and reported the issue.

DW was subsequently detained by airport security, and after testing positive for Covid-19, he was sent via an ambulance to an isolation centre for quarantine.

According to Antara, the head of Covid-19 Response Task Force of the city of Ternete, Muhammad Arif Gani, assured that the agency will be working together with the airport to tighten its security.

Flight attendant praised

Merdeka further reported that a former government officer, Alvin Lie, praised the flight attendant who managed to notice the man's ruse.

Alvin also called for an audit of the aviation security protocols at the airport, as well as the competency of its airport aviation personnel.

Top image by Adek Berry/AFP via Getty Images