SYDNEY— A passenger travelling to Albury has launched legal action against Qantas after allegedly slipping and falling down portable aircraft stairs while boarding a regional flight from Sydney in December 2024.
The airline disputes his account and has argued that his own actions contributed to the incident.
Roy Van der Meer was boarding Qantas (QF) flight QF2207 from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to Albury Airport (ABX) at about 3 pm on December 7, 2024, when he allegedly fell on the metal stairs connecting the terminal with the aircraft on the tarmac.
The flight is operated by Sunstate Airlines under the QantasLink brand, with the service continuing to operate between the two cities.
Qantas Passenger Challenges Stair Conditions
Van der Meer’s initial case alleged that the portable stairs did not have a canopy and were wet following rain. He claimed that the condition of the stairs caused him to slip and suffer injuries while boarding the aircraft.
Evidence presented during the proceedings included CCTV footage from the airport.
According to the published account of the judgment, the footage showed a canopy covering the stairs, yellow friction-based anti-slip strips and a warning beneath the handrail instructing passengers to hold it while using the stairs.
The footage also allegedly showed Van der Meer carrying a black suitcase in his right hand, while his left hand appeared to be free.
Qantas relied on this footage as part of its argument about how the fall occurred.
Qantas Disputes Liability
Qantas said a ground marshaller witnessed Van der Meer lose control of his hand luggage while using the stairs. The airline’s account states that he tried to regain control of the suitcase, then reached for the handrail but failed to grasp it before falling.
The carrier has therefore argued that Van der Meer’s actions either caused or contributed to his injuries. The court has not, however, made a finding on whether this account is correct.
The dispute also involves which airline was responsible for the equipment and the boarding arrangements.
Qantas says it owned the portable stairs and was responsible for inspecting, maintaining and repairing them, but maintains that it performed those responsibilities as an agent for Sunstate Airlines.
Court Allows Claim Amendment
A NSW District Court decision published on September 25 allowed Van der Meer to amend his claim and add Sunstate Airlines as a second defendant alongside Qantas.
The ruling concerned the procedural progress of the lawsuit rather than the ultimate responsibility for the passenger’s fall.
The judge found there was a “real triable issue” concerning the respective roles and responsibilities of the airlines.
Van der Meer had submitted four versions of his proposed amended claim and had also failed to provide personal injury particulars within a court-ordered deadline.
The court nevertheless permitted the amendment, while ordering Van der Meer to pay Qantas’s legal costs associated with the application.
The underlying allegations, including the condition of the aircraft stairs and the circumstances surrounding the fall, remain unresolved.
The case is scheduled to return to court on October 28 for further directions, Region Riviera flagged.
The proceedings could therefore provide additional evidence about the boarding equipment, the airlines’ respective responsibilities, and the circumstances of the December 2024 incident.
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