Canberra Airport security breach: Woman is arrested after she walked up to a QantasLink plane as it waited on the runway
A woman was arrested at Canberra airport after approaching a QantasLink plane on the runway.
Footage of the woman shot by a shocked onlooker in the terminal shows her approaching the plane preparing for take-off at around 7.30pm on Wednesday evening.
In the video, the woman, wearing slippers and using her phone, is seen walking along the front of the stationary plane before quickly walking back to the Canberra Airport terminal.
An alarm sounded as the woman apparently tried to wave down the confused pilots in the cockpit.
A shocked witness wrote online that the woman “missed her flight and decided she could still catch it.”
β(She) pushed past the staff at the door and ran onto the tarmac and ran to the plane. It’s literally underneath, next to the front wheel.
‘Luckily the pilot was alerted, or saw her, and switched off the engine. He then came back into the gate and ran out the door
βThe thing is, at no point, even with enough staff around, did no one stop her. So much for safety. If she had been at the cricket, she would have been tackled by a gang.
“I feel sorry for the people who are now stuck in the plane that was ready to take off.”
Qantas staff and pilots were immediately notified after the woman reached the tarmac via the emergency exit.
A woman (pictured near the plane) was arrested at Canberra Airport for allegedly walking near a QantasLink plane preparing to take off
The QantasLink plane’s engine was switched off and the flight was delayed until the woman was detained by police in the terminal.
Passengers were told to remain on board the plane while officials cleared it for takeoff.
The woman remains in custody on Thursday. Nearly 24 hours after the incident, no charges have been filed.
‘There are no flight delays and the airport is functioning normally. Further details will be provided in due course,β a police spokeswoman said.
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted the Australian Federal Police and Qantas for further comment.
The woman remains in police custody almost 24 hours after the incident on Thursday