Perth's international airport terminal was thrown into chaos this afternoon after a suspicious unattended item prompted a lockdown, causing significant delays for passengers returning from overseas.
Lockdown and Exclusion Zone
WA Police and Australian Federal Police officers locked down part of Terminal 1, the international wing of Perth Airport, and established an exclusion zone while the item in the forecourt is investigated. The lockdown began in the middle of the afternoon, leaving passengers waiting for hours.
Passengers Stranded
One passenger, who arrived from Bali, told The West Australian they had been waiting close to two hours. "The line was long but was moving," they said. "At perhaps 4pm the line stopped moving - zero announcements on PA, zero communication from any staff until perhaps 4.50pm. Then about 5pm some staff member finally came and told us there was an AFP incident out front and they're not letting us out until it's cleared."
Airport Response
A Perth Airport spokesperson confirmed the eastern end of the forecourt has been locked down, but said travellers can exit using the western end. Traffic outside is being directed to use the Terminal 2 short term carpark, due to the exclusion zone making the regular area unusable.
"Check in areas at Terminal 1 International are currently closed to passengers and staff, and the Terminal 1 short term car park has also been closed, with traffic redirected to the Terminal 2 short term car park," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Arriving international passengers will be escorted from the terminal via alternative doors. Perth Airport is working closely with the AFP and WAPOL to maintain the exclusion zone while the investigation continues."
More updates are expected as the situation develops.
