The loss of power meant that Australia’s busiest airport - which over 35 million passengers passed through in 2010 - let 16 passengers through one security checkpoint located in Terminal 2.
None of these passengers were put through the usual screening processes and, as a result, all passengers in T2 were systematically screened, once the checkpoint was up and running again. This, of course, meant that some passengers underwent a double-screening.
Airport Security Failure
29 flight cancellations were imposed during and after the airport security failure, of which over 50 per cent would have been operated by budget carrier Jetstar. The airline now intends to claim compensation, after 2,000 passengers booked to fly with it were left with little option other than to night-rest inside Terminal 2.“We will be having discussions with Sydney Airport to seek damages for what happened”, a representative for the carrier told the Australian Associated Press, adding: “We will be looking for some form of compensation as there has been a huge disruption to our service.”
Sydney Airport Apology
Sydney Airport’s apology comes in the form of an advert in the dominant Sydney newspapers. ‘Sydney Airport wishes to apologise to all passengers who were inconvenienced by Tuesday’s screening failure at T2’, it states, adding: ‘We want to learn all we can to make sure that there is no repeat of the disruption.’The checkpoint failure itself is now being looked into while, of the other airlines affected, flagship carrier Qantas has reportedly experienced a bit of disruption but, as of 20 April - the day after the power-loss - its flights were running to schedule.
Sydney Airport is operated by SACL - Sydney Airport Corporation Limited - and its flight schedules include services to 47 other Australian airports. Jetstar is one of three airlines that use it as a hub - Virgin Blue and Qantas being the other two.
Source: airport-int.com
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