BRACED FOR CHAOS New airport security to cause severe turbulence for passengers
PASSENGERS at Gold Coast Airport have been warned to expect lengthy delays this morning after a foiled plan to blow up a passenger jet out of Sydney forced the introduction of tough new security measures.
Random luggage checks in the foyer and extra security screening was being conducted yesterday, with dozens of bomb-sniffing police dogs accompanied by armed officers on hand. But with Mondays being one of the busiest days for air travel at Coolangatta, one Jetstar employee admitted: “There’s going to be mayhem.”
MEGAN BIROT and SUZANNE SIMONOT report on PAGE 4
THE Gold Coast Airport is preparing for chaos this morning with extra security measures expected to cause delays when international and domestic flights coincide.
Security has been ramped up at Australia’s major airports, including the Gold Coast, after police foiled a terrorist plot to blow up a passenger flight at the weekend.
Random luggage checks in the foyer, extra security screening at the customs portal and dozens of bomb-sniffing police dogs escorted by armed officers are among the increased security measures at Coolangatta airport.
An Australian Federal Police source also confirmed a heavy presence of undercover police.
Mondays and Fridays are traditionally the busiest days for air travel so new security measures on top of established airport procedures could cause passengers grief and leave staff bearing the brunt of angry customers.
Adelaide lawyer Adrienne Gillam was left frustrated yesterday after being selected for a random suitcase check and made to pull her belongings out on the spot.
“It’s so unnecessary, degrading and stupid to be honest, “she said.
“If a terrorist is going to blow up an aeroplane it won’t be in his luggage.”
The security officer behind the luggage checking area was equally irritated.
“I’ve been abused all day by people who don’t want to comply and ask why they had to get checked twice,” he said. “It’s hell for everyone.” Passengers also had to adjust holiday plans to make the advised arrival times of two hours before domestic flights and four hours before international flights to undergo security screening.
Jaclyn Stothard, who had to cut short a radiology conference to arrive four hours before her flight back to Auckland, wasn’t convinced the extra measures would be welcomed by all.
“This conference was the reason for my trip so that was pretty frustrating,” she said.
“I can understand the extra security but a lot of people will be ropeable about the extra waiting times.”
A Jetstar Airways employee said concurrent international and domestic flights would put a strain on checkins and security screening this morning.
“If passengers arrive earlier, there’s a chance they’ll all want to check in at the same time,” she said. “There’s going to be mayhem.”
A Gold Coast Airport spokesman said passengers should allow for delays.
Passengers have also been asked to limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage they travel with.
The security crackdown follows raids on at least five Sydney properties by counter terrorism police, supported by fire crews and paramedics.