A former baggage handler, 23-year-old Preslie Ginoski, is set to appear in court following allegations of filming himself shirtless inside a plane’s turbine at Sydney Airport. His arrest by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in February came after the video of him performing push-ups and posing in the turbine circulated on social media in January.
Authorities are claiming that Ginoski misused his role as a baggage handler to gain access to a restricted area, removing his clothes for the recording. Investigators reportedly found six videos on his phone documenting his actions near the aircraft turbine.
He has been issued a court attendance notice and faces two charges: one for threatening aviation security and another for failing to show security clearance in an airside security zone. Ginoski’s actions have raised significant concerns about airport safety protocols.
Sydney Airport’s Head of Security, Graham White, emphasised the airport’s commitment to safety, stating that they maintain a zero-tolerance approach to security breaches. He indicated that all reports of safety violations are taken seriously and that the safety of passengers and staff is paramount. The swift response from the AFP has been acknowledged, and they will continue to collaborate to ensure safety standards are upheld.
AFP Sydney Airport Police Commander Davina Copelin cautioned against treating the airport as a venue for social media antics, asserting that airside security zones are strictly regulated and breaches, regardless of their perceived harmlessness, will not be tolerated. If convicted, Ginoski could face fines totalling up to $17,150.