Airport Pick Up and Drop Off
For security reasons, drivers collecting or dropping off passengers at Cairns Airport are encouraged to use the public car parks. If purely dropping off or picking up a passenger please ensure you use the drop off and collection points signposted around the terminals. There are points specially for people with a disability. Vehicles are not to be left unattended within any of these areas and security staff engaged in parking control manage these area. Attended vehicles may only remain within the drop off areas for two minutes. Vehicles left unattended are subject to towing and drivers may be fined. Public car parking is also available including bays for people with a disability, which are signposted.
Cairns Airport staff are available to assist with further information.
Check-in
Read all the available information provided to you by your airline. This information will advise you regarding the allowable size of your checked and cabin luggage, what’s allowed to be carried within your checked luggage regarding dangerous goods and other information that will make your departure a more pleasant experience. Cabin luggage size gauges are available within the check in areas at both Cairns Airport terminals.
During check in you’ll be asked questions about your baggage contents and at the International check in whether you packed your bags and had control of them. If in doubt now’s the time to advise the airline. Additionally you will be required to ensure any Liquid, Aerosol or Gel items carried by you are correctly separated. (see below).
If you’re departing from the International terminal for overseas ensure you have the appropriate travel documents ready for airline staff e.g. tickets, passport and visas. Once you have completed check-in we recommend you make your way directly to the Security Screening Point to avoid any delays.
Customs and Border Protection Processes
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and outwards immigration procedures need to be undertaken if departing from the Cairns Airport International Terminal, this includes domestic passengers travelling to southern ports who are travelling on a domestic leg of an international flight. Customs and Border Protection processes and information are available on the Customs and Border Protection website.
The Security Screening Process
Federal Government legislation requires Cairns Airport to screen passengers and people entering airport departure lounges. The security screening process is designed to ensure prohibited items and weapons don’t enter the lounges and ultimately end up within the cabin of an aircraft. The consequences of this occurring result in delayed departures and possible legal action. In today’s security environment there is a major concern for the safety of aircraft and travelling public.
The security screening process includes x-ray screening of personal cabin luggage, passing through a walk through metal detector, possible hand scanning with a metal detector if you’re not initially cleared by the walk through metal detector, random bag searches and an explosive trace detection process.
The explosive trace detection process is designed to check that a person being screened has not come in contact with explosives, or chemicals that are used in explosive compounds. This process is random, and those people selected for this screening MUST undergo this part of the screening requirement. Refusal to undergo any part of the screening process will unfortunately mean you won’t be able to enter the departure lounges and possibly not fly.
In addition to these processes passengers and people accessing Cairns Airport International Terminal departures lounge, whether transit passengers from overseas or departing passengers from Cairns are also subjected to screening for Liquids Aerosols and Gel (LAG) items. This process is designed to screen people and their cabin luggage for explosives that may be contained within liquid, aerosol and gel compounds. This part of the screening process may also include a random pat down search of the person.
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Electrical items
Electrical items such as mobile phones, digital cameras, MP3 players and laptop computers are allowed within the departure lounges and in the cabin of aircraft and should be packed within your cabin luggage. Personal electrical items e.g. hair dryers and tongs may also be carried, however tong replacement cartridges may not be carried.
Laptop Computers and Portable DVD players need to be removed from your cabin luggage or from their cases to be screened separately.
Liquids Aerosols & Gels Screening
The screening for liquids, aerosols and gels (LAG’s) was introduced in March 2007 by the Australian Federal Government to comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation recommendations and standards in an effort to assist in minimising the likelihood of explosive materials contained within certain LAG items being taken into International departure lounges and aircraft cabins. Click here to view further information regarding Liquids Aerosols and Gels
What are you allowed to take?
Knowing what’s allowed and what’s not allowed before you arrive could save you, and other passengers, time and inconvenience. Any LAG item you wish to take into the lounge or within the cabin of an aircraft must be in an adequate container; however containers cannot be over 100ml. They also need to be carried in a transparent and re-sealable bag measuring no more than 200mm x 200mm or of a size not exceeding 800mm in total diameter. Bags and general information are available at the International Terminal check in area for your convenience. Passengers and people seeking access into the International Departure lounge are restricted to one bag only.
Surrendered items are subject to Federal Government Regulations. Cairns Ports, as the ‘Screening Authority’ are prohibited from returning items to passengers. Receipts for Duty Free and items of value will be provided.
Drinks
You’re welcome to take drinks in cans, bottles, plastic containers and cartons, as long as the containers are 100mm in size or less. Empty water bottles may be taken through the security screening point and filled up at water fountains within the departure lounge. Once through the security screening point you can buy drinks in the departure area to take on to the aircraft.
Food
You can carry foodstuffs in your cabin luggage; however, foods in sauces or with a high liquid content (such as sauces, pastes, soups and stews) need to go in a transparent bag, along with your drinks. These can’t exceed100ml either. Items that reduce to a liquid at room temperature are also subject to these restrictions for example certain cheeses or frozen foodstuffs. It is advisable to check with your airline on what they allow and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) regarding the removal of certain foodstuffs from Australia.
Medicines and medical equipment
Prescribed medicines: There are exemptions for prescription medicines; however it is advisable to ensure they are in the original chemist supplied containers with the prescription attached. Whilst exemptions apply only the required amount for the flights duration and possible delays should be taken in the aircrafts cabin, screening staff may discuss this with you during the screening process.
Non – prescribed medicines: These are allowed but again the quantity must be consistent with the journey and what may be reasonably required during flight and a possible delay. Products required for the flight must be kept in a transparent, resealable bag. Certainly an amount to cover a week’s travel would not meet the ‘reasonable amounts’ test applied to this and what is not required during the flight should be packed in checked luggage.
Medical equipment; Certain medical applicators such as syringes, vials and medicine cartridges, insulin pens etc are allowed. However screening staff will require proof from you for instance, medical certificates, a doctor’s letter or prescriptions should you need to carry these items.
Baby products
The restrictions on LAG items includes baby products, however this like un-prescribed medicines exemptions mainly apply to quantities. Only carry what you need for the trip. Wet wipes and powdered baby food are fine. Additional foodstuffs for babies may include but are not limited to baby milk, sterilised water, juice and any other baby food in liquid, gel or paste form.
Duty Free Goods
These items may be purchased inside the departure lounge after the security screening process. Items purchased off airport must be packed in your checked luggage.
Cosmetics and toiletries
You may take solid deodorants, lipsticks, brushes, combs and toothbrushes on
board. The following products are limited to 100ml, and must also go in a transparent bag, along with drinks and liquid-based products:
- Hairspray and other aerosol items
- Creams
- Roll-on deodorants
- Sun-tanning products
- Lip gloss or lip balms
- Liquid soap
- Toothpaste
- Mascara
- Contact lens solution
Smoking materials
Cigarettes and other tobacco products are all allowed in hand baggage. Please note some airlines do not allow matches or lighters in either checked or cabin luggage, please check with your carrier. Australian Government regulations prohibit smoking inside the terminal buildings (other than prescribed areas) and on board aircraft.