Jetstar Airways has been fined $6500 after a Melbourne check-in clerk altered a passenger’s nationality to allow visa-free entry to New Zealand. The Christchurch District Court in New Zealand heard today that the Chinese woman was allowed to board the flight and was eventually granted a visa.
The clerk’s actions have led to a prosecution by the Department of Labour under the Immigration Act. The airline has admitted a charge of failing to ensure the person did not board the aircraft after being notified on the computer system that she did not have a visa.
The department said the passenger intended to board a flight to New Zealand in Melbourne on January 27 last year.
She was a citizen of China and was required to obtain a visa beforehand.
When she went to the check-in, she provided her correct details and a message appeared on the computer system telling the clerk to contact Immigration New Zealand because the passenger did not have a visa.
The passenger’s nationality was then changed from China (CN) to Switzerland (CH) on the system, which allowed her to board because Swiss nationals can enter New Zealand without visas.
When asked for an explanation, the company replied by letter: “The check-in agent had received the directive but thought she had entered the incorrect country code, so she amended the country code to CH.”
The letter said the agent was remorseful and was aware of the seriousness of her actions.
Lawyer for Jetstar Michael Heron told the court that the airline had taken steps on retraining and instructions to staff.
Judge David Saunders said he would impose a fine that would “send the message that they need to be careful with the processing of passengers at overseas airports”.
The judge noted that Jetstar had no previous convictions and had carried two million passengers in the course of its operations.
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