Hundreds of travellers have faced painful delays at Brisbane Airport tonight after a metal detector failure that forced all passengers to leave and be re-screened by security.
Some flights had to be cancelled while others were delayed in take-off.
All passengers and staff at the domestic terminal were given the order to leave and come back through security after a “technical fault with a single metal detector”, Brisbane Airport said.
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“The fault was quickly identified and there is no safety or security threat,” the airport said in a statement.
“However, it will take some time to rescreen all passengers and staff, delaying flights.
“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank passengers for their patience and understanding.”
Images showed long queues stretching outside the buildings as travellers reluctantly joined the wait to go through security again.
At least five Qantas and Jetstar flights were delayed and one Jetstar flight was cancelled.
https://x.com/CrashCall/status/1952272355226796377
Just before 8.30pm, Brisbane Airport said “screening points and operations” were returning to normal.
“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank passengers for your patience. Thank you to all the airport staff for your work and support.”
One passenger said the “entire place” had ground to a halt about 5.30pm.
“Have just been deplaned to leave and re-screen. Report is that security screening device was used whilst in fault mode and thus some passengers not screened. Now entire place has ground to a [halt],” they wrote on X.
Another person claimed the queues to rescreening were “not moving”.
“So check in with your loved ones as their flight will be delayed,” they said.
There was no impact to the international terminal.
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