An outsider entered a ground-handling staff break room at Taoyuan International Airport on Sept. 12 and held a trainee employee at knifepoint, United Daily News reported.

The airline that contracts the work confirmed the incident and said the safety of staff and follow-up measures would await the findings of the relevant authorities.

Airport ground-handling areas operate as controlled zones separated from passenger flows. Entry requires a dedicated pass, with permissions divided by area.

The intruder's route in and the access control procedures are therefore expected to be the focus of the investigation. Whether the break room sits inside the control line could determine where responsibility lies.

Airport security in Taiwan is divided among aviation police, the airport corporation and contractors working for airlines. Gaps in management at the boundaries between zones have been noted before.

Working conditions for trainee and dispatched staff are also being raised, with observers noting that break areas often hold only a few people during shift changes.

Aviation authorities are expected to review access procedures to prevent similar cases. Pass management and blind spots in camera coverage are among the items cited for inspection.