The NZ male is escorted off the flight at Melbourne Airport on October 23. Picture: AFP
A New Zealand man is expected to appear in Broadmeadows Magistrates Court in Melbourne today (October 24) charged over the assault of a crew member onboard an international flight.
The Australian Federal Police said they were alerted early yesterday morning (Wednesday, October 23) about a drunken passenger disrupting a reportedly crowded flight from Perth, WA, to Auckland, New Zealand.
Media reports identified the airline as Air New Zealand (flight NZ176) and was three hours into its flight when it was forced to divert to Victoria.
The AFP said the flight crew alleged the man, 23, had refused to comply with their requests.
The man then allegedly assaulted a crew member, causing a slight injury, a federal police statement said.
The AFP said that the passenger had been restrained at the back of the aircraft as it was diverted to Melbourne Airport.
AFP officers boarded the aircraft at the airport, removed the passenger and took him into custody.
The man was charged with one count of assaulting crew affecting the performance of their duty under the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, according to police.
AFP Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook pointed out that the incident had caused the flight to be delayed.
“Any violence or anti-social behaviour in a confined space in the air would be distressing for other passengers and crew,” he says.
“At the very least, in this alleged incident it disrupted everyone’s travel plans,” Det-Supt Cook said.
“Anti-social behaviour during a flight can pose a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft that is taken seriously by airlines and the AFP.”
The AFP provides aviation security at nine major airports in Australia.
Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour at an Australian airport can call Airport Watch on 131 237.
