Airport Delays Australia – Border Force outages

Major passenger delays are occurring across international airports in Australia due to an Australian Border Force system outage.

‘SmartGate’ passport machines down

passengers are reporting that these machines that scan passports on entry and exit to the international gates are down, which is causing lengthy delays in passenger processing. They have been down since 6 am today (29 April 2019).

Affecting all Australian International Airports

Reports are coming in via twitter from Airpots in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – but it appears it is affecting all Australian International airports.

ABF Statement about the IT system outage:

“Additional ABF staff have been deployed to process passengers and to minimise delays,”

“Passengers are encouraged to arrive at airports early to allow additional time for processing.”

Border Force have maximised staff on duty and are processing passports manually. Reports from passengers say lines at Sydney are snaking back through the Duty Free shop – and if you know Sydney Airport, you know that’s a shit show.

We’re working to resolve an IT systems outage impacting inbound and outbound passenger processing at international airports. Additional staff have been deployed to help minimise delays. Passengers are encouraged to arrive early to allow additional time for processing. pic.twitter.com/qSn4ThVN7m

— ABF (@AusBorderForce) April 28, 2019

Affecting Qantas Flights

According to the ABC.net.au online, Qantas has confirmed that some flights have been delayed by 30 or 40 minutes due to the manual processing.

When will it end?

Update: 12:30 pm – News reports that the IT outage is over, although passengers are still advised to arrive early at Australian international airports, as delays in passport processing continue.