Security flaws at Australia’s secondary airports

Just how safe are secondary airports in Australia?

On this week’s evidence: worryingly unsafe.

I’ve always been stunned how some rural airports in Australia do not conduct body scans or explosives tests.

At major airports, security operatives will divest you of manicure scissors or mini knitting needles, while letting you carry on a magnum bottle of wine. Such clear lack of thinking there.

But this week’s incident at Avalon Airport, outside Geelong, show just how potentially dangerous things really are.

A teenager armed with a loaded shotgun somehow managed to cut their way through a security fence and make it up the stairs of a commercial Jetstar flight while carrying a loaded shotgun.

Let's unpack that, shall we?

Security failed to see someone making their way through a fence; and failed to notice an armed person making their way across the tarmac.

The teen was allegedly trying to force his way onto the plane before before being overpowered by passengers. That's passengers, not the "security aware" cabin crew.

Police were called to the airport (but were apparently not on duty) and the flight, which was carrying about 150 people to Sydney, was cancelled.

"This would have been a very terrifying incident for the passengers of that plane, and Victoria Police really commend the bravery of those passengers who were able to overpower that male,” Police Superintendent Michael Reid told the media.

Police were also quick to say it was not a terrorist incident, code nowadays for "the offender was white".

Farmer Barry Clark, who tackled the alleged offender, said the teen became became agitated while speaking to a flight attendant.

“Before we knew it, a shotgun appeared, and I was worried about it being shot,” Clark told ABC Radio Melbourne.

“All I could do was push her out of the way, get the gun out of the way, break that gun and throw it down the stairs, and then put him in a hold, throw him to the ground until the police came."

Police detained the teenager and found live ammunition rounds along with the shotgun. He will face eight charges.

Good on Barry. Shame on Avalon Airport.