Chaos at Cairns Airport over security breach

Passengers have reportedly been ordered off a plane as the airport was plunged into chaos following a security breach.

Chaos has erupted at Cairns Airport following a security breach.

Passengers at Cairns Airport have been forced to undergo re-screening, with passengers reportedly being pulled off planes.

“They made my mate get off the plane and now everyone standing outside what on earth,” one person wrote in a Facebook post.

“Loudspeaker just said – due to security issue re-screening every passenger in the airport … there are LITERALLY THOUSANDS of people,” the person added.

Passengers at Cairns Airport are having to be re-screened at security. Picture: Facebook.

A Cairns Airport spokesperson confirmed a passenger didn’t undergo the required screening, resulting in everyone at the airport needing to be re-screened.

“Shortly after midday on Monday, a passenger entered the Departures Lounge at Cairns Airport without undergoing required screening. There was no immediate risk associated with this,” the spokesperson said.

“It is standard procedure and in line with Cairns Airport’s legislated security requirements to rescreen all persons in the Departures Lounge following an occurrence such as this.

“This process was conducted as quickly as possible and we appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding.”

A video posted to X about 1pm shows a line snaking outside the airport door, with one traveller asking for answers.

“What is going on with security line? This is ludicrous,” the person wrote.

“Lines not moving at all. No direction or announcements.”

Originally published as Chaos at Cairns Airport over security breach