Carnarvon airport operator expected to be given final warning for consistent security breaches

A Carnarvon airport operator accused of allowing a passenger to carry a spear gun airside is expected to be given one last chance to comply with security protocols, with any further breaches putting them at risk of losing airport access. In a report presented to Shire of Carnarvon council on Tuesday, it was revealed that the airport operator had been spotted breaching safety compliance requirements on several occasions. On top of the spear gun incident, the operator had allegedly allowed a dog to be present airside and had failed to ensure staff were wearing high-visibility clothing or the correct airside identification. Another incident report accused the airport operator of bringing people airside past a “No Entry” sign when live firearms firing was being conducted to remove unsafe bird hazards from airport runways. According to the report, the operator provided a response to each breach but Shire staff found “none of the responses were considered to adequately explain or justify the breaches”. “In late December 2021 a meeting was held between Shire staff and the airport operator to discuss the breaches. It was agreed by the airport operator to comply with airport rules and mandatory safety requirements,” the report stated. But a further confrontation between the operator and airport staff occurred in April after the operator was seen airside with another individual. It is alleged a security gate propped open, and neither was wearing airside identification and nor wearing high-visibility clothing. The operator was asked to provide a response to these breaches and was told of a consideration to remove their airside access. It is understood the operator made several allegations against Shire airport staff regarding unfair treatment and airport staff not operating the airport in a competent manner. At time of print, council was considering a motion to issue a formal and final warning to the operator, outlining “serious consequences for failing to comply” with security protocols.