Truckie tells of Cairns Airport security breach
A TRUCK driver has revealed he gained access to the Cairns airport airside daily for five years without an authorised security pass.
The driver, who asked not to be named for fear of losing his job, said he worked for three different transport companies and was only caught after a security officer questioned him about eight months ago.
The revelations came after a security expert last week said security measures at the airport were lax.
The driver in his early 50s said he delivered general freight to the airport, mainly through the general aviation side each day.
"The employee of one company used his card to let me through the gate. No questions were ever asked," he said.
"I never had an ASIC (Aviation Security Identification Card) card."
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An ASIC card is used to identify a person who has been the subject of a background check. It is required to obtain unescorted access to the secure areas of security controlled airports that have regular public transport services. ASIC cards are valid for up to two years.
The driver said he was questioned by a security officer last year.
"He threatened me with jail and thousands of dollars in fines. He was very serious."
The Manoora man said he later did an ASIC course and was issued with the security card.
"It amazes me that I got away with being able to drive on to the tarmac for all those years without being questioned or pulled up," he said.
The man said he was also escorted to an airline lounge in the international terminal while delivering goods and left unattended.
"I was approached by a federal police officer who asked me what I was doing. He was not impressed that I was left alone," he said.
Cairns Airport chief executive Stephen Gregg said he could not comment on a specific situation without full details.
"If a general aviation operator provided airside access either through their building or a gate, to people (other than passengers) without an ASIC or a Visitor Identification Card they would be committing an offence against current legislation," he said.
"In the present circumstances, anyone delivering goods to the international departures lounge sterile area also requires either an ASIC or a Visitor Identification Card and to be escorted. Not meeting these requirements is an offence."
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Security breach: A truck driver has revealed he gained access to the Cairns airport airside daily for five years without an authorised security pass.
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