The administration of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City has suspended a security screening officer for failing to detect a case where a passenger brought a knife in her carry-on baggage onto a plane this week.

The results of the investigation into the case showed that the woman and her companion were walking through the No. 9 security checkpoint at the A Hall of the domestic terminal at the airport with three carry-on bags at around 6:30 am on Monday.

They were to board flight VN208 from the southern metropolis to Hanoi.

Through a scanner monitor, which was later confirmed to be operating correctly at that time, the airport security screening officer on duty at the No. 9 checkpoint saw that there were several metal objects, including cellphones and a wristwatch, in the hand baggage of the two passengers.

Although those objects overlapped one another, the officer, who was determined to have normal health and a valid professional certificate, did not request the passengers to take out each item for a visual check and allowed them to go ahead.

As a result, the woman was able to bring a knife in her carry-on baggage onto the plane and used it to peel fruit during flight VN208.

Another passenger on the flight discovered the woman’s act and reported it to a flight attendant, who gave her a warning, temporarily seized the knife from her, and made a report of the incident.

The management board of Tan Son Nhat International Airport determined that the failure to detect such a dangerous item, which stemmed from a personal mistake of skipping the security screening process, posed a threat to aviation safety. 

Therefore, the security screening officer in question has been temporarily suspended, according to the Southern Airport Authority.

As per current regulations, knives are on the list of dangerous items prohibited from being brought into the airport’s restricted areas and an aircraft cabin.

These items must be placed in checked baggage.

Before boarding, passengers must complete a strict security control process at the airport terminal, including presenting identification documents, undergoing security screening and a visual search if needed. 

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