Airport security upgrade

TRAVELLERS have been met with huge queues at major Australian airports today after the govt boosted screening measures in response to police raids in Sydney over the weekend.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Darren Chester yesterday advised of additional security at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Cairns, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Gold Coast airports, applied “as an extra precaution in coordination with counter terrorism raids in Sydney”.

Airlines are asking travellers to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures to allow ample time.

“While it is important the public is aware of the increased threat, Australians should not be alarmed and those travelling should go about their business with confidence,” Chester said.

Updates on the Qantas and Virgin Australia websites confirm there are no changes to what pax can and cannot carry on board flights, though both carriers advise the increased scrutiny is likely to mean it will “take a little longer than usual to get through the process”.

Heavy queues were experienced at Sydney and Melbourne airports this morning, with Twitter users posting photos of long lines stretching outside the doors at Sydney’s Terminal 2 and through departure halls at Tullamarine.

Police raided five properties in Sydney on Sat, with Fairfax reporting a home-made bomb was allegedly found, “possibly to be planted on a commercial flight to the Middle East”.