Failed security systems and poor staff training have compromised Adelaide airport security, whistleblowers warn

AIRLINE luggage is not properly screened at Adelaide Airport, whistleblowers allege, amid claims weapons slip through security checks due to poor staff training and failed systems.

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WEAPONS including guns, live ammunition and knives have passed through Adelaide Airport baggage checks undetected amid security staff claims of poor training and failed systems.

The Sunday Mail has learned of multiple security failures in recent months, some of which were exposed by federal agents during aircraft terminal checks.

Other potential weapons undetected during luggage screening include screwdrivers and scissors. Whistleblowers also say unauthorised people have accessed restricted areas.

They say the failures, which includes some baggage passing through security without being X-rayed, are regular and raise questions about the safety of the 5.9 million people screened annually at the airport.

They say ISS, the private firm which has managed airport security for the past 12 years, has repeatedly ignored warnings about security flaws, poor training and claims internal documents had been falsified.

The workers said new screening equipment would be inadequate because of flaws in checking and training. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Security officer Suzie, 51, of Adelaide’s southern suburbs, said she had tried for years to warn ISS of problems, which included forged training documents, dangerous goods going undetected and annual training reviews missed.

She said it was “utter madness” for private companies to control airport security, more than 12 months after a two-year Senate inquiry recommended against this practice.

“Private security companies’ main motive is profit,” she said. “It is all smoke and mirrors. Nothing has changed, in fact it has gotten worse.

“The government tells the public that 100 per cent of all luggage is X-rayed but that is not true. I could get any weapon on a plane, international or domestic, as a passenger if I wanted because of these flaws.

“I want change, it is currently dangerous. Training is appalling. How can anyone detect anything dangerous if they don’t get the proper training? I have tried to raise this but have been ignored.”

Security officer Suzie wants authorities to improve the problems with airport screening. Picture: AAP / Keryn Stevens

Suzie, who went on stress leave with pay for two years over a workplace dispute, said ISS had not allowed her to return to work but she remained a company employee.

She said was speaking publicly because she wanted to improve passenger safety and see federal authorities address the problems.

The government, the airport and ISS would not comment on specific incidents.

The former Office of Transport Security, which regulated the nation’s airport security, is now part of the new Home Affairs department’s aviation and maritime security division. A Home Affairs spokeswoman said some baggage was not screened using X-rays “due to its physical characteristics” but staff used other unspecified processes to check items.

“The ... government’s first priority is to keep Australians safe and secure and we recognise the need to do more to protect travellers and our aviation industry,” she said.

A $294 million Federal Budget boost this month included full-body scanners at airports, advanced X-ray equipment and upgraded screening technology.

Suzie and other Adelaide Airport workers welcomed the funding measures but said new screening equipment would be inadequate because of the baggage check flaws and unsuitable staff training. A Sunday Mail investigation has discovered at least four major security breaches during one five-day period last year.

The breaches included a handgun and box of bullets being allowed through luggage detection and a person wearing a fake ID discovered in a restricted area.

A gun and box of bullets made it through luggage detection. Picture: iStock

Another person walked the wrong way through the main security exit unchallenged, in a breach which is supposed to trigger a mandatory airport evacuation.

A dissembled rifle barrel and trigger also travelled on an Emirates flight to London where it was detected at Heathrow Airport — prompting Interpol to track its origin back to Adelaide. Months later, workers say, a fake bomb escaped detection during checks undertaken by a new unnamed staffer.

Workers claim flammable liquids, oils, poisons, organics and “deadly” lithium ion batteries, which can leak or short circuit in an instant, have entered airline cargo holds.

“I cringe getting on a plane from Adelaide,” one worker said. “The whole thing is a farce. There needs to be better training — it is all about the bottom line.”

Another claimed “heaps of prohibited items” slip through security and blamed outdated detection systems.

An Adelaide Airport spokesman said security was of the utmost importance. Picture: AAP / Emma Brasier

An Adelaide Airport spokesman said safety and security were of “utmost importance”, problems were addressed immediately and “stringent” changes then made. The spokesman declined to comment on specific incidents or ISS.

“Security processes and procedures are regularly audited and tested,” he said in a statement.

“Where matters raised have required further investigation, further training is undertaken and improvements made. “Aviation security is an active and ever-changing discipline, and we respond every day to the prevailing security environment in close co-operation with relevant regulatory agencies.”

An ISS spokesman said all baggage was subject to screening processes that met national aviation requirements and government laws.

He said the company worked “extremely closely” with the government, regulators and airport management to “provide the highest level of compliance”.

He said all protection officers required a security licence and were subject to regular, ongoing mandatory training and assessment that was government managed and of global best practice.

“ISS understands the extremely important role we have in providing a safe and secure airport … and we are committed to providing the highest quality of service,” he said.

The government refused to release details of airport audits due to security concerns.