The 27-year-old, who lives in the resort, was helping a friend who was returning to Brazil when he made the comment at Air New Zealand's check-in desk about noon, Senior Constable Chris Blackford, of Queenstown, said. The man ''made the rather foolish comment there weren't any bombs in his mate's bag'', Snr Const Blackford said.
''AvSec [Aviation Security Service] took control and his mate's bags were X-rayed,'' he said.
The all-clear was given and the passenger was able to depart on time.
The man did his friend ''a huge disservice'', Snr Const Blackford said.
''Had AvSec not acted promptly, the man could have missed his flight and connecting flights.
''Everybody knows these days you do not make those comments at airports, regardless of how much of a comedian you think you are.
''The public would be rightly disgusted if they [airline or airport staff] and AvSec heard the comment and AvSec did nothing about it.''
