Jetstar investigates boarding pass debacle at Sunshine Coast Airport
Jetstar is investigating after a man boarded a plane at the Sunshine Coast without a ticket triggering a five-hour delay for Sydney-bound travellers. Read the latest here.
Sunshine Coast
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Major low-cost airline Jetstar has launched an “urgent” investigation after a young man made it through checkpoints and boarded a plane on the Sunshine Coast without a ticket.
A Jetstar passenger is also demanding compensation following the flight from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney that was delayed because of the incident.
The passenger, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she had boarded a flight from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney on Tuesday, May 9, when a young man sat down in another person’s seat.
The passenger said a flight attendant asked to check his boarding pass and he said he left it outside.
“It was then shortly found out he never had a ticket and managed to get past two ticket checking security checkpoints,” she said.
The passenger said she and fellow travellers sat on the plane for about 45 minutes before being told they needed to get off and go through security again.
She said her flight was delayed a further three hours, making a five-hour delay.
“At this stage I have contacted Jetstar to request compensation,” the passenger said.
She said the young man, who she estimated was between 18 and 25 years old, left the plane “calmly” with a flight attendant and appeared “lost and confused”.
A Jetstar spokeswoman said the airline had “strict procedures” to ensure customers had valid boarding passes for their flights.
“We have launched an urgent investigation into the situation,” she said.
“The individual was removed from the aircraft prior to departure and all customers were re-screened as a precaution, which resulted in the flight being delayed.
“We sincerely apologise to customers for the impact to their journey.”
However, the spokeswoman did not respond to a question about Jetstar compensating passengers for the delay.
Sunshine Coast Airport general operations manager Kate McCreery-Carr said Sunshine Coast Airport followed “strict Australian Government regulations” for the safety and security of passengers and guests.
“All passengers and members of the public are required to clear airport security prior to entering the departures hall,” she said.
“Our process includes the screening of passengers, their belongings and explosive trace detection.”
She said all Sunshine Coast Airport security processes were followed, and no weapon or dangerous goods were found on the “member of the public” who boarded the flight.
Sunshine Coast Airport’s statement also stated “airlines manage the checking and monitoring of passengers when boarding their Aircraft and Sunshine Coast Airport is liaising with Jetstar regarding the incident”.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said officers responded to an airport incident at 3.30pm following reports of a man behaving suspiciously.
“Upon police arrival, the man had left the airport,” she said.
“Police reviewed CCTV and identified the man and he is assisting with inquiries.”
The spokeswoman said investigations continued.
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