Security firm fined The Federal Aviation Administration fined the company that operates security checkpoints at the Honolulu Airport $35,000 for allowing a non-ticketed passenger into the international terminal, said state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali.
$35,000 for violating
new airport rules
A non-ticketed person was
allowed into the terminal against
new security measuresBy Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.comShe said the incident occurred about 11 p.m. Saturday.
The FAA representative in Hawaii refused to comment on the incident.
The company, International Total Services Inc., referred inquiries to Airlines Committee of Hawaii Security Coordinator Joe Guyton.
"They will get a letter informing them of the incident, and then ITS has to notify the FAA what actions it is taking to mitigate the problem," Guyton said.
The Airlines Committee of Hawaii is a consortium of carriers that fly into and out of Hawaii that hired ITS to operate the security checkpoints in the international terminal.
ITS also operates the checkpoints at the Keahole Airport in Kona and at all Hawaiian Airlines terminals.
"Hopefully they can get it mitigated to where there's no fine," Guyton said.
People going to the airports are also facing possible penalties because of the tighter security measures.
Kali said state deputy sheriffs checking cars and drivers entering airport parking areas have been ticketing drivers for traffic violations and taking into custody people who have outstanding warrants.
As stranded passengers are able to leave Hawaii, state transportation officials expect much less traffic at the airports.
"We're expecting it to quiet down tremendously after (today)," Kali said.
She said the parking structures at Honolulu Airport were only half full.
Guyton said it will be a few more days before traffic at Hawaii airports slows down since there are Hawaii residents still stranded at mainland airports.
