Working at the airport?

Aviation Security is governed by the Aviation Transport Security Act, 2004 and Aviation Transport Security Regulations, 2005 (Federal Legislation) and by the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 (State Legislation).

These requirements are reflected in the Transport Security Program for Cairns Airport. The following general provisions apply to contractors and businesses operating on Cairns Airport.

Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASIC)

Every person including a driver who, because of a work related requirement, needs to access restricted areas of the International Terminal Building or Airside Area is required to display a RED or GREY ASIC issued in their name on their outer garment. A RED ASIC authorises a person to be in a Security Restricted Area or other restricted area, while a GREY ASIC authorises a person to be in a restricted area or airside area other than a Security Restricted Area. Security Restricted Areas at Cairns Airport are confined to the international and domestic aprons. Other security controlled areas known as ‘Landside Security Zones’ requiring an ASIC include the following:

• Departure lounges (Sterile Areas) at both the international and domestic terminals, and
• Air traffic control facilities.

ASICs are available on application from Cairns Airport.

Visitor Identification Cards (VIC)

Visitors to restricted areas of the airport must wear a Visitor Identification Card (VIC) and be accompanied by a person wearing a valid ASIC. VICs are available from the Airport Operations Centre (AOC) Cairns Airport and some other agencies at the airport who are ‘Issuing Agents’ under the Cairns Airport ASIC Program.

VIC’s are only available for those who have a lawful and work related reason for requiring one. VIC’s may be issued for one day by Cairns Airport and Issuing Agents, or multi day VIC may be obtained from Cairns Airport. Photographic ID, for example a driving licence, must be produced to confirm identity in order to obtain a VIC. VIC’s must be returned to Cairns Airport or the ‘Issuing Agent’ on the day of expiry. Failure to return a VIC is in breach of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 and may incur a penalty or refusal of a future VIC if requested.

Vehicles

Each vehicle requiring airside access must have approval from Cairns Airport and must display a clearly identifiable company sign or logo on each side of the vehicle. Drivers must have an airside drivers authority issued by the Cairns Airport and be familiar with the contents of the Airside Vehicle Control Manual. Airside access must be facilitated via Gate V23 on the eastern (RPT) side of the airport or Gate V13 in the General Aviation Area. Access though any other gate (except gates located within tenanted operations) must be with the approval of Cairns Airport.

Access

Every person approved by Cairns Airport to access restricted areas of the International Terminal Building or Security Restricted Areas must ensure each door or gate accessed by them is closed and locked once entry is effected. When accessing vehicle gates, drivers must stop and wait for the gate to close before moving off to prevent unauthorised access. Access to an airside area or Security Restricted Area of the airport may be gained through vehicle gates and fence line buildings such as terminal buildings, hangars and cargo sheds. It is the responsibility of the Lessee/Tenant to ensure that gate and building access points within their leased area or within the area for which they are responsible are controlled or kept closed and locked when not in use. Where access points to an airside area are controlled by security staff, persons (including goods and vehicles) may be subjected to a physical search and/or inspection before being allowed access. Refusal to consent to this form of inspection will result in access being denied.

Airside Inspections

The Office of Transport Security (OTS) require airport operators and certain other Aviation Industry Participants (AIP’s) to have in place an inspection process of persons and their vehicles seeking access to the Airports Security Restricted Area (at Cairns these are the international and domestic aprons). This process is to ensure only those people with a lawful and work related reason access the area. The inspection process includes a face to ASIC or face to other photographic ID and VIC check and goods carried by them and may includes a check of certain vehicles and items carried in them. Inspection points are located within the terminals and Gate V23. There are no exemptions to this requirement.

Sterile Areas and Screening

Before entering an area signposted as a sterile area, (terminal departure lounges) every person must be screened for weapons. Goods carried by persons entering a sterile area must be x-rayed or searched. Random selection for explosive trace detection (ETD) screening may be undertaken by screening staff. Additionally, access into the international sterile area is subject to screening for Liquids, Aerosols and Gel (LAG) products which may include a pat down search. Entrance to a sterile area can only be via the screening point. If the screening point is not operating separate approval must be sought from Cairns Airport on each occasion entry to a sterile area is required. Persons working airside must not mix with screened passengers in the aerobridges or on walkways.

Weapons

Firearms or weapons of any description are not to be taken onto airside areas or into sterile areas. Tradesmen’s tools requiring an explosive charge as a part of their operation must be declared before commencement of any work and prior to the screening process.

Tools of Trade

Tools of trade required for work within the sterile areas are to be checked and registered during the screening process by screening staff. Retail outlets must ensure tools of trade are secured and out of sight from passengers or other persons using the lounge. Tradesmen are advised to take only those tools required for the job into the sterile areas to assist in a speedy screening process. Tradesmen are responsible for all tools in their possession and are to ensure tools are kept secure and out of reach of passengers or other persons using the lounge. Any tool found missing MUST be reported to screening staff as soon as possible. Failure to do this may require the lounge to be evacuated and all persons rescreened. This is a costly exercise and may result in delays to aircraft departures.

Unattended Items

Under no circumstances may items such as toolboxes, luggage, lunchboxes or similar items be left unattended in any public or airside area. Items secured in vehicles are excepted. Any unattended items of this nature are to be reported immediately to the Airport Coordination Centre on telephone 07 4080 6744 or by calling the Australian Federal Police on 131AFP. Alternatively report it to any security staff member on duty at the airport.

Kerbside Parking

Parking restrictions apply at Cairns Airport. Drivers are encouraged to use public car-parks wherever possible. However, if purely dropping off or picking up a passenger drivers may choose to use the drop off and collection points signposted around the terminals. Vehicles are not to be left unattended within 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. Disabled parking is available at the terminals and bays are signposted. Cairns Airport staff are available to assist with further information

Perimeter Fence Clearances

Objects of any description may not be placed closer than three (3) metres to a perimeter fence from any landside area or closer than two (2) metres to a perimeter fence from any airside area.

Searching of Vehicles

All vehicles in an airside area are liable to search at any time without notice by an Authorised Officer.

Australian Federal Police

Australian Federal Police (AFP) maintain an armed uniformed presence at the airport 24 hours a day and may be contacted for assistance and response for any matters in a similar manner to normal State police . AFP may be contaced on 131AFP or 07 4040 1777.

Australian Customs Service

The Australian Customs Service have an overriding authority under the Customs Act to detain, search or arrest any person reasonably suspected of carrying prohibited goods or committing any offence against the Customs Act irrespective of that person holding an ASIC or being approved by the Cairns Airport to work on the airport.

Directions of Authorised Officers

Directions issued by Cairns Airport Authorised Officers are to be complied with immediately. Airport Safety Officers, Customer Service Officers and senior Cairns Airport staff are Authorised Officers and are so identified on their ASIC.

Directions of Police

Directions issued by Queensland Police officers or members of the Australian Federal Police are to be complied with immediately.

All security related enquiries are to be directed to Cairns Airport Security Team on 07 4080 6703 or after hours from the Airport Coordination Centre on 07 4080 6744.