Australian Federal Police (AFP) have arrested and charged a man over fake radio broadcasts to commercial aircraft at Melbourne Airport.
The man, 45, was due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 23, on three charges, an AFP statement said.
They allege that the offences happened at Melbourne Airport over a two-month period.
The AFP launched an investigation earlier this month after they were alerted by the Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA) about a person with illegal access to aviation radio networks who was broadcasting chants and false mayday recordings.
The AFP said they searched the man’s Lower Plenty residence on Saturday, September 21, and seized four handheld radios and equipment, including two mobile phones with recordings of chants and mayday messages.
The man faces up to a maximum of 27 years jail, police said.
He has been charged with one count of prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft which carries a maximum 20-year jail term under the Aviation Act.
He was also charged with one count of the illegal use of a radio communications device (two years jail maximum) and one count of using a transmitter to interfere with radio communications (five years maximum), both under the Radiocommunications Act.
AFP Detective Superintendent Simone Butcher said that the federal police and their aviation partners are working together to ensure the safety of the travelling public.
“These offences are extremely serious,” she said.
“Aviation security is critical.
“Appropriate procedures, processes and systems are in place to ensure the safety of aviation operations across Australian airports,” Det Supt Butcher said.
“Anyone who attempts to compromise the safety of the travelling public, through false or unauthorized access to its operations and equipment, will be caught and brought before the courts.”
