Snap security review ordered at Australian airports after teen allegedly tried to hijack plane

A snap security review has been ordered at Australian airports after an alarming incident involving a teen allegedly armed with a shotgun.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has ordered a snap security review of regional airports after a teen allegedly tried to hijack a flight at Victoria’s Avalon Airport armed with a loaded shotgun.

Police have charged a 17-year-old boy with several offences, including unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, after he allegedly boarded a Jetstar flight on Thursday and claimed he had explosives.

Passengers and a pilot tackled the teen and restrained him until police arrived.

A teen has been charged with several offences after allegedly boarding a flight armed with a shotgun. Picture: Supplied

Mr Burke said on Sunday he had directed the security review for all capital city airports as well as regional airports, including Avalon, Newcastle, Launceston, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Alice Springs, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton.

“On Friday, I directed my department to write to Avalon and all similar airports to inform them that they will be required to conduct a risk assessment to determine what security upgrades are necessary to prevent incidents like this one,” Mr Burke said in a statement.

“The department is also working on measures (including use of directive powers) which would require airports to improve detection and monitoring of any intrusion into their grounds.”

He said the safety of passengers “is always our priority and we are using all tools at our disposal to ensure an incident like this does not happen again”.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says his department ‘is also working on measures’ to boost intruder detection and monitoring on airport grounds. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Australian Airports Association has welcomed the move, calling the incident at Avalon “an extremely rare event”.

“Safety and security remains paramount at Australian airports,” AAA chief executive Simon Westaway said in a statement.

“Security-controlled airports meet strict requirements as directed by the Department of Home Affairs and individual security plans are approved under rigorous assessment processes, including airport perimeters.

“The AAA is awaiting further detail on the investigations under way by Victoria Police and the Department of Home Affairs.

“We stand ready to work with our members and the federal government in response.

“It should be noted that last Thursday’s incident was an extremely rare event and Australia’s aviation industry is incredibly safe.”

Police say the teen crawled through a hole in Avalon Airport’s perimeter fence. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis

Avalon Airport chief executive Ari Suss also welcomed Mr Burke’s order, saying he backed “any major reviews into airport security and operations that further strengthen safety for all travellers, at all airports”.

“We are extremely proud of the way our people responded to this incident, thank you for all that you do,” Mr Suss said.

Police have said the teen crawled through a hole in Avalon Airport’s perimeter fence.

He appeared before a children’s court on Friday, with charge sheets alleging he planted a fake bomb.

He was remanded in custody and will face court again on March 21.

Originally published as Snap security review ordered at Australian airports after teen allegedly tried to hijack plane