Unattended Luggage at Perth airport: Ron Bartsch Interviewed

We hear it being announced at airports all the time:

“Do not leave your baggage unattended. Unattended baggage will be removed and may be destroyed.”

Yet, at Perth Airport, one lonely suitcase sat abandoned for over four hours before anyone did anything about it.

Perth Airport slow to respond to unattended luggage

The unattended suitcase sat in the airport, waiting for its owner.

Of course, it seemed suspicious.

Witnesses reported hearing Qantas staff discussing the unattended bag over the phone, emphasising that action needed to be taken.

Perth Airport confirmed that it was aware of the suitcase.

It had reportedly been left behind by a family who transferred their belongings into a larger bag.

A spokesperson for the airport stated that since the bag was empty, it posed no threat to passengers.

“Perth Airport was contacted by Qantas, who confirmed the bag was empty and requested its removal. Our cleaning staff subsequently disposed of it,” the spokesperson explained.

Avlaw Founding Director Ronald Bartsch was dumbfounded

Ron Bartsch, Chairman of Avlaw Aviation Consulting, described the delay in handling the unattended luggage as “astounding.”

He told The West Australian:

“While Qantas had information suggesting the bag was empty, there was no confirmation of this. The standard approach to unattended baggage should always be to treat it as a potential security threat until proven otherwise,” Bartsch said.

He expressed concern over the lack of immediate action, stating, “It is baffling that security personnel at Perth Airport did not respond more swiftly.”

What are the security risks of unattended baggage?

The presence of unattended luggage at airports is a serious concern.

It could be a sign of something as perilous as a terrorist attack

Bartsch emphasised that failing to address unattended baggage promptly is not standard practice and could lead to dangerous situations.

“Unattended baggage can be used in terrorist attacks, which is why airports must treat every instance with the utmost seriousness,” he said.

Not the first time: Previous incidents involving unattended baggage

Leaving luggage unattended at an airport carries a maximum penalty of $10,500.

In September 2022, an unattended bag at Perth Airport prompted an emergency response from heavily armed Australian Federal Police officers.

The situation was resolved when an elderly man came forward, allowing normal airport operations to resume.

This latest incident has raised concerns about security protocols and the importance of swift responses to unattended baggage in major travel hubs.