New airport rules delay f liers
Frantic scenes of passenger congestion at Christchurch Airport may be a taste of things to come if airport security regulations are extended to regional flights from all airports.
Natalie Dixon was caught unawares by the long, snaking queue that extended from the security screening area back to the entrance doors of the terminal.
‘‘It was a bit crazy. They’d closed the southern corner of the terminal, where you usually go for regional flights, and everyone has to go upstairs through the security screens. They were calling out names of people caught way back in the queue.
‘‘A few people were grumpy, although most were understanding in the circumstances. It would pay for people to arrive much earlier than they usually would,’’ Dixon said.
The chief aeronautical and commercial officer at Christchurch Airport, Justin Watson, said the additional screening requirements were in place as directed by the Civil Aviation Authority.
‘‘This has altered some of the passenger flows within the terminal, which is resulting in some periods of congestion at certain times of the day.
‘‘We are actively working with Aviation Security and the airlines to manage these periods.
‘‘Visitors have been very patient and understanding to date and we are thankful for this. Our advice to all who are flying out of Christchurch Airport is to arrive early to allow extra time for security screening.’’
An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said that additional passenger screening at Christchurch Airport coupled with high demand for travel to and from the city had proved challenging.
‘‘In light of this we have been proactively contacting customers who have shared their contact details with us asking them to arrive at the airport 30 minutes earlier than their original checkin time and to proceed through to
their departure gate as swiftly as possible,’’ Air New Zealand said.
An Aviation Security Services spokesman said that in light of recent events in Christchurch, security screening had been put in place for domestic flights departing Christchurch that had 30 passenger seats or more.
‘‘This is a prudent risk management measure. The need for this screening to continue is being monitored on an ongoing basis. This screening commenced on the Saturday morning March 16, immediately following the Christchurch shootings.
‘‘The appropriateness of current domestic security screening settings at airports other than Christchurch is the subject of ongoing review, as is always the case,’’ ASS said.
Hawke’s Bay Airport chief executive Stuart Ainsley said the airport was unaffected so far and he was anticipating a nationwide response from security services about whether or not all airports would be included in stricter measures.
‘‘A few people were grumpy although most were understanding in the circumstances.’’ Passenger Natalie Dixon