19 Sep 2011

Airport security increased

10:32 am on 19 September 2011

The Aviation Security Service says security at Auckland airport has been increased after a man posing as a pilot tried to get into a restricted area.

The man, pretending to be an Air New Zealand pilot, attempted get through a Link boarding gate in the domestic terminal wearing a uniform on Saturday afternoon.

He was turned away because he could not show the correct identification.

The police are now seeking the man who was caught on camera leaving the airport in a black van.

The Aviation Security Service says pilots and other staff have been told to expect extra security checks over coming days.

General manager Mark Everitt says that will mean more inconvenience for airline personnel.

The agency has not decided how long heightened security will be maintained.

Security shown to be OK - Pilots Assn

The Airline Pilots Association says the fact that Auckland Airport personnel stopped an impostor pilot breaching security, shows security measures are up to scratch.

A man, pretending to be an Air New Zealand pilot, attempted get through a domestic boarding gate wearing a pilot's uniform on Saturday afternoon.

He was turned away because he could not show the correct identification.

The Airline Pilots Association told Morning Report that airport staff treat security very carefully.

But association aviation security co-ordinator Paul Lyons said even though the man did not get through to restricted areas, it was still a serious concern that he managed to find a pilot's uniform, which are hard to come by.