Security crackdown to hit plane departures

Air travellers report lengthy queues at Sydney airport following a security crackdown at major airports, triggered by the emergence of an alleged plot to bring down a plane.

Police help screen passengers at Sydney Airport over the weekend. Picture: AFP

Australian air travellers face ­delays as a security crackdown at major airports — triggered by terror raids in Sydney and the emergence of an alleged plot to bring down a plane — forces extensive checks of both carry-on and checked luggage.

Major airlines havewarned passengers to arrive two hours before scheduled departures of domestic flights and three hours before the scheduled departure of international flights to accommodate tightened security.

Massive queues at Sydney's domestic terminal this morning. 2 hour delays expected and extra security in response to foiled terror plan. pic.twitter.com/FvYS6ftVx0

— Liv Caisley (@livcaisley) July 30, 2017

Early reports suggested the new system was already causing delays at some airports — a situation that has the potential to worsen today as the morning peak arrives and the week’s business travel begins.

Passengers reported lengthy queues at Sydney airport on social media this morning. A Brisbane Airport spokeswoman said there are no significant delays at present but passengers have been warned to prepare for possible delays. Queues at Qantas and Virgin terminals in Melbourne have been larger than normal but moving smoothly this morning.

The queue now stretches outside the terminal and down the entire length of T2 st Sydney airport. pic.twitter.com/odKbrQ6Z54

— Mary Lloyd (@MaryLloyd4) July 30, 2017

Massive queues at Sydney airport T2. Extra security following Saturday's raids, plus problems with the baggage belt. pic.twitter.com/exW1SJrR1N

— Mary Lloyd (@MaryLloyd4) July 30, 2017

Transport Minister Darren Chester announced the tougher security measures would apply to 10 major airports: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns, the Gold Coast and Hobart.

Smaller rural and regional airports are not covered by yesterday’s announcement but a spokeswoman for Mr Chester said: “All Australian airports have been asked to exercise increased ­vigilance in their security operations, including at security screening points and within terminal areas.’’

The move came after police ­believe they foiled a plot, thought to be inspired by Islamic extremists, to bring down a plane using an ­improvised device.

Security authorities said they were taking the threat from the ­alleged terrorists seriously.

“You should infer (that) we think this was credible, and that there was an intention — and quite possibly a capability as well,’’ Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said.

While police have four men in custody as a result of the raids, work was continuing on the investigation yesterday.

Mr Colvin said there would be a noticeably increased presence from police and security agencies at airports.

“You can expect longer delays to make sure that more screening is being done on baggage, both hold luggage as well as hand ­luggage,’’ he said.

Malcolm Turnbull said there had been extra security measures at Sydney airport from Thursday after authorities learned of the ­alleged plot.

“These and further measures have been extended to all major airports at domestic and inter­national terminals around the country overnight,’’ the Prime Minister said yesterday. He said travellers should be prepared for additional scrutiny at screening points and warned that this would take longer. He also urged passengers to limit as far as possible the amount of carry-on and checked baggage they took with them.

Mr Turnbull said the Australian public could have “great ­confidence in our security arrange­ments”, in particular in our security and screening procedures at ­airports. “However, what we have done is increase them, so that more bags will be checked. It’s ­really intensifying what we’re ­already doing,’’ he said. “Some of that will be visible, some of it will not be visible, but it will take more time.”

Mr Chester said while it was important the public was aware of the increased threat, “Australians should not be alarmed; those travelling should go about their business with confidence”.

The government has already implemented a range of anti-­terror measures, including hardened cockpit doors to prevent unauthorised access to the cockpit, plainclothes in-flight security officers and better training for flight crews to handle suspect passenger behaviour.

Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar have also asked their passengers to ­arrive at airports two hours before the scheduled departure of domestic flights and three hours before international flights in the wake of the security crackdown.

While screening has been tightened, there was no change to what passengers could take on to planes, a Virgin spokesman said.

A Qantas spokesman said: “Australia has very strong safeguards in place at its airports; these changes are about making them even stronger.”