16-8-2023 (SINGAPORE) A 55-year-old man has been apprehended by the police on Tuesday (Aug 15) for allegedly misusing his boarding pass to enter the transit area of Changi Airport without any intention of departing Singapore.
According to investigations, the man had purportedly purchased an air ticket solely to obtain a boarding pass, which he then used to access the transit area in order to accompany his girlfriend who was leaving the country.
The man’s arrest was made on Saturday under the charge of violating the Infrastructure Protection Act 2017, which prohibits the improper use of boarding passes to gain entry into restricted areas of the airport. Authorities have stated that the investigations are ongoing.
The police disclosed that a total of 16 individuals have been arrested between January and August this year for misusing their boarding passes to enter the transit areas of Changi Airport for non-travel-related purposes.
“The police would like to remind members of the public that the transit areas of Changi Airport are gazetted as Protected Places.”
In response to queries from CNA, a spokesperson from the Changi Airport Group emphasized that passengers who possess boarding passes are expected to have the intention to travel. The airport has prominently displayed warning signs throughout its premises to inform passengers of this requirement.
Law enforcement officers have warned that individuals who exploit their boarding passes to access the transit area for reasons other than traveling out of Singapore will be identified and apprehended.
Those found guilty of the offense could face a maximum fine of S$20,000 (US$14,738), a prison term of up to two years, or both.
