A catering employee who used her airport security identification card (ASIC) to breach an airside security zone at Perth Airport and help her family onto a Singapore-bound flight has been fined $1000.
The woman, 39, was sentenced in Perth Magistrates Court yesterday (13 May, 2025).
An AFP investigation began on 18 February, 2025, when the Alexander Heights woman - who was not rostered to work - dropped family members at the airport for a scheduled flight.
She then used her ASIC to unlawfully gain access to more than one secure area and make her way to the departures hall inside the international terminal.
The woman then showed her ASIC to airline staff, boarded the plane with family members and helped them to their seats.
She was stopped by airport staff when she exited the plane, and the AFP was called.
The woman's security privileges were suspended later that day.
She pleaded guilty yesterday (13 May, 2025) to:
- One count of entry to secure area to be for lawful purposes only, contrary to section 3.11(1) of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 (Cth).
AFP Superintendent Peter Hatch said workers must abide by airport rules and regulations, just like travellers and visitors to the Perth precinct.
"The AFP and its partners enforce strict protocols at the airport to keep all staff, travellers and visitors to the precinct safe," Supt Hatch said.
"Airport employees are entrusted with privileged access to certain secure areas and anyone caught exploiting that trust for personal reasons, can face prosecution."
Stop and think. A safe journey starts with you.
Every piece of information you provide could be the key to identifying and preventing a threat at our airports. That's why the AFP is asking you to adopt the; "See it. Hear it. Report it. approach.
Behaviours to report include:
- Taking photos of security cameras, screening, or perimeter fencing
- Avoiding screening
- Leaving bags unattended
- Loitering
- Concealing identity
- Exhibiting erratic behaviour
If you see it or hear it, report it to Airport Watch at 131 237 (131 AFP).
You can make a difference!
