A catering employee based at Perth Airport is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (11 April, 2025) charged with allegedly breaching an airside security zone inside the international terminal.
The AFP was alerted on 18 February, 2025, when the woman allegedly used her airport security identification card (ASIC) to enter a secure area inside Perth Airport for non-work-related purposes.
The Alexander Heights woman, 38, allegedly used the card to make her way to the departures hall inside Terminal 4 and then onto a plane, where she assisted family members to their seats on a flight destined for Singapore.
The woman was allegedly stopped by airport staff when she exited the aircraft, before the AFP was called to attend.
Following inquiries, the AFP charged the woman via summons on 5 March, 2025, with;
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). This offence carries a maximum penalty of $1650.
The woman's security privileges were suspended on 18 February, 2025.
AFP Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said people who worked at airports must abide by the rules and regulations that were in place to keep all visitors to the precinct safe.
"AFP officers patrol the Perth Airport precinct to ensure people do not enter restricted areas without authorisation, and that includes employees entrusted with access to certain areas," a/Supt Brindal said.
"If employees enter an airside security zone without permission for personal reasons, they can face prosecution."
Anyone who sees suspicious behavior at an Australian airport can call Airport Watch on 131 237.
