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Long queues at Auckland domestic airport following a reported security breach on Friday night.
Two outbound flights from the domestic terminal at Auckland airport were delayed on Friday night after an aviation security officer spotted what appeared to be a knife during security screening.
One passenger told Stuff after boarding their Jetstar flight two hours after the scheduled time, passengers were ordered off the aircraft.
They were then sent back through to security for reprocessing where police were also in attendance, the passenger said.
“Queues were long and insufficient staff were on hand to support all the passengers,” the traveller said.
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Two flights were affected by departure delays as passengers were sent back through security for reprocessing.
Another passenger travelling to Wellington via Jetstar said they were told 10 minutes before boarding that there had been a security breach at Auckland Airport and passengers were unable to board without being re-screened.
A police spokesperson said police received a report of a security breach at Auckland Airport at about 9.10pm.
“Police attended and supported airport staff in relation to the incident.”
An AvSec spokesperson said an aviation security officer operating the x-ray machine saw an item that appeared to be a blade at the domestic security screening on Friday night.
“When the bag was checked at the bag recheck station, no item resembling a blade was located.”
The spokesperson said in the interest of security, a decision was made to re-screen all passengers who were waiting in the secure area to board flights, and a sterile check of the area was conducted by AvSec.
“The passenger re-screening meant two flights were affected by departure delays and no flights were cancelled,” the spokesperson said.
Jetstar was approached for comment.
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