A West Australian woman who allegedly assaulted two AFP officers and airline crew was just one of 217 incidents the AFP responded to during a major Easter crackdown on bad behaviour at airports across the country.
As thousands of passengers took to the skies to reunite with family, friends and loved ones, the AFP worked around the clock to ensure the safety and security of travellers and airport staff across nine of the country's major airports where the AFP is the lead law enforcement agency.
The AFP increased high-visibility patrols throughout terminals from 18-21 April, 2025, as part of preparations to respond swiftly to any criminal or disruptive behaviour.
Members responded to 217 incidents that included allegedly intoxicated and disruptive passengers, possession of prohibited items and illicit drugs, and breaches of airport security protocols.
Three people were charged at airports in Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra with criminal offences, and 10 people were issued with official police cautions for minor offences.
One incident related to an Adelaide man, 27, who allegedly threatened two security guards, and then assaulted one of them, at the Adelaide Airport security screening area on 17 April, 2025. The AFP responded to the incident and subsequently arrested the man.
He was charged with:
* Two counts of threatening to kill a person at a Commonwealth aerodrome, pursuant to section 28 of the Crimes (Aviation) Act (Cth);
* One count of assault that causes harm, pursuant to section 20(4) of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act (SA) in its application under section 4 of the Commonwealth Places (Application of Laws) Act (Cth); and
* Entering a landside security zone of a security-controlled airport without permission, pursuant to Regulation 3.25(2) of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations (Cth).
The man was granted bail and is expected to appear at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 10 June, 2025.
In another matter, a WA woman, 44, was charged on 21 April, 2025, with multiple offences, including allegedly assaulting AFP officers, as well as airline crew members on a flight from New Zealand to Australia.
The woman allegedly became physically and verbally abusive towards airline staff on the international flight after they spoke to her several times about her alleged inappropriate, disruptive and antisocial behaviour.
When airline staff requested AFP assistance to remove the woman from the aircraft on its arrival into Sydney Airport, she allegedly didn't comply with police instructions and physically assaulted the officers.
The AFP has zero tolerance for poor behaviour within our airports and will continue to work with Aviation stakeholders to respond to and deal with matters swiftly and appropriately.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Angy Polic said the AFP had prepared for the significant increase in travellers through airports, and the potential challenges that came with them.
"Our officers dealt with a range of matters from individuals in possession of prohibited items to aggressive passengers failing to comply with safety requirements," Detective a/Superintendent Polic said.
"We are here to protect the travelling public, and we won't hesitate to act when disruptive or violent behaviour crosses a line.
"Although most travellers behaved appropriately, there is always a small number of individuals who will put the safety and security of others at risk. The AFP will not tolerate disruptive or inappropriate behaviour, which can lead to serious consequences such as criminal charges, significant fines, travel bans or imprisonment.
"If you are abusive or demonstrate violent, criminal behaviour at airport terminals or during a flight - you will be stopped before boarding or removed from your flight. Your holiday will be cancelled, and your next destination will likely to be a police station or courtroom.
"Lastly, we'd would like to thank the passengers who were patient, considerate and respectful to airport and airline staff during their travels."
The AFP is the lead law enforcement agency at nine designed airports: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
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).
