The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has reassured Air New Zealand
that it acted within its rights by dismissing a former staff member who committed multiple security breaches at Auckland International Airport.
Using airport security clearance to bypass customs
Jordyn Antonio-Rooney, a flight attendant for Air New Zealand, had recently transitioned into a crew support role and used her airport
security clearance
card to bypass the New Zealand Customs Service area alongside an aunt who was traveling to Australia last June.
Photo: Auckland Airport
The actions amounted to serious misconduct, justifying the airline’s decision to dismiss. The ERA reiterated that given these breaches were repeated several times, it was not an isolated act of negligence. Furthermore, the incidents were committed in full knowledge of the importance of border security requirements.
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Detour through the crew room
According to the case details, as reported by HCA Mag, Antonio-Rooney had her aunt accompany her at Auckland International Airport before the flight to Australia and decided to take a detour through the crew
room, noticing there was a large line for general passengers to pass through the main customs area.
Using the airport security card, Antonio-Rooney swiped through the access point for staff only, entering the restricted area that bypassed the Customs line. While Antonio-Rooney claims her actions were a mistake, the ERA argued that Antonio-Rooney would’ve known the door would bypass the checkpoint.
Photo: Air New Zealand
Douglas Grant, a Senior Manager at Air New Zealand, testified at the hearing, noting that the door had a glass window, and Antonio-Rooney would’ve been able to see what was on the other side. It would’ve been clear to Antonio-Rooney and her aunt that they would bypass the regular departure process.
Questioned by airport staff
After the incident, Antonio-Rooney was questioned by airport staff and customs officers, and she proclaimed she had entered the wrong door. Despite the apology, airport staff immediately confiscated her security card, and an internal investigation was launched.
Photo: Jordan Tan I Shutterstock
Following an investigation by Air New Zealand, findings concluded that Antonio-Rooney had committed multiple breaches of security protocols, including allowing members of the public to tailgate through secure access points.
Grant testified at the hearing that despite considering a lesser penalty, Antonio-Rooney’s dismissal was appropriate due to the seriousness of the breaches and failure to follow clear protocols. Given the circumstances, the ERA found that dismissal was an acceptable decision for Air New Zealand.
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An extensive trans-Tasman operation from Auckland Airport
From its home at Auckland Airport, Air New Zealand provides more non-stop Australian destinations than any other carrier across the Tasman Sea. Deploying a mix of narrow and widebody aircraft, the 
Star Alliance
carrier serves Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sunshine Coast, and Sydney.