Qantas was slapped with almost $10 million in fines during the past two years for breaching immigration laws.
Citizenship Minister Gary Hardgrave said Qantas received 915 infringements last financial year and 996 infringements in 2001-02, with each breach costing the airline $5,000.
The 1,911 breaches resulted in $9.5 million in fines for Qantas.
Singapore Airlines recorded 323 infringements last year, the American-based United Airlines had 217, down from 437 the previous year, and British Airways copped 154 fines, down from 261.
"The penalty against each airline was $A5,000 per infringement," Mr Hardgrave said in an answer to a question taken on notice.
He said during the past two financial years there had been no prosecutions launched against airlines by the Immigration Department.
"In 2002-03, 2,354 infringement notices were imposed in lieu of prosecution," Mr Hardgrave said.
"In 2001-02, this figure was 3,211."
Mr Hardgrave said the majority of unauthorised air arrivals were removed from Australia within 72 hours.
The Flying Kangaroo last month announced a net profit of $357.8 million for the six months to December 31, 2003.
Safe Flying
Ang
