Metal Detector Fault Triggers Re-Screening and Flight Delays at Brisbane Domestic Airport
All passengers at Brisbane’s domestic terminal are being required to pass through security screening again after a technical fault with a metal detector, causing significant delays and disruptions to flights, the airport has confirmed.
Photos shared on social media showed large crowds gathered throughout the terminal, with one traveler describing the situation as the “entire place has ground to a halt.”
In a statement released on Monday, airport authorities explained that everyone inside the terminal was being re-screened due to a malfunction in a single metal detector.
“The fault was quickly identified, and there is no safety or security threat,” the statement read. “However, re-screening all passengers and staff will take time and is expected to delay flights.”
Passenger Craig MacLean described the moment his 3:40pm flight to Cairns was interrupted. “Everyone had already boarded when we were told there had been a security breach and that the entire domestic terminal was being evacuated,” he said.
“There were thousands of people all funnelling outside. Now everyone’s out here waiting to be allowed back in through security.”
While the crowd remained generally calm, MacLean noted confusion as passengers were directed toward the screening area, only to be turned back.
“It’s chaos trying to find your way to the right place because there are just so many people,” he added.
The airport issued an apology for the disruption and thanked travelers for their patience and cooperation.
Brisbane’s international terminal operations are unaffected by the incident.
