Travellers are urged to allow extra time at Melbourne Airport as delays may occur due to industrial action.
The airport released a passenger update on Monday evening and warned travelers of delays.
“PSA: Protected industrial action may cause minor delays at security checkpoint T3/4 between 6am and 8am tomorrow (Tuesday 20 August),” the post said.
“We recommend that @VirginAustralia, @jetstarairways and @rexairlines passengers travelling between these times allow an additional 15 minutes for check-in.”
Similar actions are expected on Wednesday.
The delays at the airport occurred just one day after comedian Eric André claimed to have been the victim of racist discrimination at the airport.
“I was arrested,” the 41-year-old said in a video posted on Instagram.
“I was pulled out of a line in Melbourne and put in a special queue where I was thoroughly sniffed by a dog.”
André was travelling for work and had completed a 25-hour flight from New York to Los Angeles and then to Melbourne before heading to Brisbane.
“This is one of the many times I have been a victim of racial discrimination at the airport,” he continued.
“This is a message to all black, brown and Aboriginal people travelling through Melbourne today. Particularly if you are travelling with Qantas International through Terminal 2, please be careful. They are searching black, brown and Aboriginal people.”
He added that he did not feel safe at Melbourne Airport and asked that on future assignments in Australia he be given either an escort through the airport or be flown directly to Sydney or Brisbane instead.
“I don’t feel safe at Melbourne Airport. I don’t want to be humiliated or racially discriminated against at these airports anymore. I don’t want to cut my hair and wear a three-piece suit to be treated like a first-class citizen,” he said.
“I shouldn’t feel like I’m not accepted when I enter a country. Shame on the people at Melbourne airport who have to go through this stupid process. I doubt it makes anyone in Melbourne or Australia any safer. I’d love to dig up the statistics on what comes out of this program.”
A Melbourne Airport spokesman said the airport “does not tolerate racism in any form”.
“We welcome all passengers to Melbourne and expect everyone to be treated equally,” the spokesman said.
“Upon learning of Mr Andre’s complaint, we immediately requested the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the government agencies responsible for processing all international arrivals into Australia, including at Melbourne Airport, to investigate the incident.
“These authorities have now given Mr Andre an answer.”
A DAFF spokesperson said all travellers will undergo biosecurity screening upon arrival in Australia, targeting items such as fresh fruit or vegetables, plants and food, soil on footwear or recreational equipment.
“These procedures help us manage the risks to Australia’s agriculture and unique natural environment. As part of these procedures, each traveller completes an entry card and their luggage may be x-rayed, individual checks and unpacking of luggage may be carried out, or a general screening may be carried out using our highly trained dogs,” the spokesman said.
“Every traveller entering Australia will experience some or all of these control measures.”
