Ex-staffer: Airport lock-outs common
AN ex-Gold Coast Airport staffer claims evictions of stranded passengers at night when the terminal shuts was common and included young solo women out in the cold.
Gold Coast Airport issued a statement yesterday to say safety and security of the terminal and passengers was a paramount concern.
But ex-staffer Jenny Harmer, commenting on Bulletin revelations about stranded Tigerair passengers sleeping rough outside the terminal on December 29, claimed: “... has always happened. It’s bloody disgusting. I worked at the GC Airport for a few years and many times
people were forced to sleep on bench seats outside the airport due to missed or cancelled flights, rescheduled the following morning. Many a times young women alone who couldn’t afford to get a motel, many in winter months when it was cold. It’s very wrong on so many levels and unsafe”.
Photos supplied by Indian couple Jay and Gargi Gadhavi, who were among those stranded by Tigerair’s cancelled 7.25pm flight, showed people snatching sleep on tables, chairs and the ground on December 29. The terminal, shut from 11pm as per usual, was lit up inside behind them.
Mr Gadhavi claimed he asked an airport or security official to make an “exception” for people to stay inside that night but they were given five minutes to get out.
Airport chief operating officer Marion Charlton conceded a “small number” slept outside, but said if a large group was displaced by an axed flight with no accommodation the terminal could remain open overnight.
A new airport statement yesterday claimed no one requested the terminal stay open on December 29.
When asked if the airport had spoken to the official Mr Gadhavi claims kicked them out, an airport spokesman said if contacted first-hand by Mr Gadhavi, the airport would be “in a position to look into this further with our security contractor and take appropriate action”.
Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan said he had confidence in Ms Charlton’s “customer service” focus. “Out of the thousands of flights, it appears one overzealous security guard has created an issue,” he said.
“This incident will be looked at and Marion will make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
The airport’s new statement said if the terminal had to stay open overnight, security would need to be called in, but management used “reasonable discretion” if a request to stay open was made.
Totally unacceptable for airline who knows that airport closes. Should provide accommodation for stranded passengers. On the other note, ain’t this an international airport? Doesn’t look like it.
International doesn’t mean open 24hrs. Tiger to blame all the way here, why should the airport have to stay open? More cleaning, more ops staff and more security costs for a few Tiger passengers once year.
Bloody disgusting from Cooley airport. Step up your game, you should be ashamed for kicking people out who were stranded with no option in the weather we currently are experiencing.
What an absolute disgrace. Don’t worry about how it will look for the Games ... worry about our every day tourists that continually keep business and family afloat here ... appalling.
THIS INCIDENT WILL BE LOOKED AT AND THE AIRPORT’S COO WILL MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T HAPPEN AGAIN
If the airline doesn’t fulfil its travel obligation to its customers, that’s their problem and liability for customer journey.
Can’t afford a hotel to protect yourself during disruption? Don’t travel. There’s no way EVERY SINGLE ROOM on the Coast was full.