July 9, 2004 at 6:31 am
All passengers who had passed through departure gates at Sydney international airport have been turned around for rescreening after a rogue passenger prompted a security scare.
An Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokeswoman said a person was stopped at the door of Qantas flight QF149 bound for Los Angeles without a boarding pass.
The person was apprehended by police and was currently being questioned, she said.
“As a precaution, Sydney Airport authorities decided to clear the terminal and re-establish the sterile area,” the spokeswoman said.
It was not yet known how many passengers were cleared out of the terminal or which areas in particular were affected.
Passengers were warned to expect delays.
“There were subsequent delays for many passengers but most will understand the need for such security precautions.”
The AFP spokeswoman said the man tried to board the Qantas flight without a boarding pass and was stopped at the gate.
Travellers are now being forced to pass through Customs and Immigration again. Baggage also has to pass through x-ray again.
Long queues have formed inside the terminal and a message has been broadcast advising passengers of flight delays due to an earlier security incident.
Some travellers have turned their suitcases into seats as they wait in the lengthy queues.
The airport spokesman was unable to say how many people or flights were affected.