ⓒ NZ Herald
Auckland Domestic Airport was thrown into chaos this morning after a security breach caused significant delays and long queues for passengers. A passenger disregarded security screening protocols, entering a restricted area before completing the process. This prompted airport authorities to evacuate and rescreen the entire terminal.
According to a spokesperson for Aviation Security Services (Avsec), the incident occurred around 6:40 am. The passenger, who refused to comply with security instructions, was subsequently located and removed from the restricted zone. One traveler shared images on social media showing extensive lines stretching throughout the airport as passengers underwent rescreening.
While Avsec confirmed that four screening lanes were reopened and the security risk mitigated, the incident caused substantial disruption. An Auckland Airport spokesperson acknowledged the significant delays and thanked travelers for their patience, urging them to contact their airlines for flight updates. The passenger’s fate following removal remains unclear, although Avsec confirmed a further investigation is underway.
This isn’t the first time Auckland Domestic Airport has faced significant delays. Earlier this month, a surge of concertgoers attending Coldplay and Pearl Jam shows, coupled with a malfunctioning security scanner, led to similar lengthy queues and widespread disruption. Some travelers reported delays of up to an hour, describing the situation as “absolute chaos.”
The cause of this morning’s security breach remains under investigation. Passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines for any flight impacts resulting from the incident.
