A woman, 36, faced the Downing Centre Local Court today (17 October, 2022), charged with offensive and disorderly conduct in the business class section of an international flight departing from Sydney.
AFP officers responded to an incident on Saturday evening (15 October, 2022) after reports the woman had allegedly become verbally abusive towards cabin crew members on multiple occasions before the flight had departed.
Police were called to the aircraft where they arrested the woman and escorted her off the flight.
The woman was charged with offensive or disorderly behaviour on an aircraft contrary to regulation 91.525 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (Cth).
The incident comes just two weeks after the AFP warned passengers that offensive, violent and disruptive behaviour, including incidents of ‘air-rage’ would not be tolerated in the air or on the ground as passenger numbers continue to increase.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP could not be any clearer in warning the public that police had zero tolerance for anti-social, dangerous and violent behaviour at airports.
“We are once again reminding the public to act considerably at airports and treat other passengers and staff members with respect,” Det-Supt Blunden said.
“There is no excuse for this type of behaviour and those who choose to act in an anti-social or aggressive manner will be held to account.”
AFP officers have also reported a trend of passengers creating public disturbances resulting in ‘air-rage’ as a result of missed flights, travel delays and baggage issues, along with incidents of violent behaviour outside of terminals involving disputes over taxis or rideshare vehicles.
The woman entered a guilty plea and was issued an infringement and recorded conviction.
If you require a police presence at an airport, or wish to report an incident or provide information, please call the AFP’s Airport Watch on 131 AFP (131 237).
