A South Melbourne man has appeared before Melbourne Magistrates' Court charged for alleged disorderly and aggressive behaviour that led to his mid-flight restraint when travelling to Melbourne from Bangkok, Thailand.
The man, 18, allegedly shouted, swore and ignored safety instructions from airline crew during the flight on 5 June, 2026.
Police will also allege he behaved aggressively towards crew members and fellow travellers and was ultimately restrained after barricading himself in an airplane bathroom.
AFP members boarded the plane upon its arrival in Melbourne and removed the man.
A number of crew members and passengers sustained injuries and were treated on arrival.
After interviewing crew members and passengers, the AFP charged the man with:
- One count of assault a person, being a member of the crew of the aircraft, contrary to section 20A of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth);
- One count of threaten to kill or injure anyone on board an aircraft, contrary to section 24(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth);
- One count of threaten to kill or injure anyone on board such an aircraft, contrary to section 24(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth);
- One count of commit an act of violence against a passenger on the aircraft, and that act of violence, if committed in Jervis Bay, would be an offence against a law in force in that Territory, namely section 26 of the Crimes Act 1900 (ACT), contrary to section 14(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth);
- One count of unlawfully obtained property, pursuant to section 26(1) of the Summary Offences Act 1966 as applied by section 4 of the Commonwealth Places (Applications of Law) Act 1970 (Cth);
- One count of unlawfully obtained property, pursuant to section 26(1) of the Summary Offences Act 1966 as applied by section 4 of the Commonwealth Places (Applications of Law) Act 1970 (Cth); and
- One count of unlawfully obtained property, pursuant to section 26(1) of the Summary Offences Act 1966 as applied by section 4 of the Commonwealth Places (Applications of Law) Act 1970 (Cth).
The man appeared before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 6 June, 2026, and was remanded in custody to reappear at the same court on 28 August, 2026.
AFP Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook said antisocial or aggressive behaviour during a flight risked the safety of other people and could be particularly concerning in the confines of a plane.
"Being in the air does not give someone a free pass from the law and consequences on the ground," Det-Supt Cook said.
"The AFP works closely with airlines to ensure the safe travel of people across Australia and will put people before the courts if they are accused of breaking the law."
Stop and think. A safe journey starts with you.
Every piece of information you provide could be the key to identifying and preventing a threat at our airports. That's why the AFP is asking you to adopt the 'See it. Hear it. Report it.' approach.
Behaviours to report include:
Taking photos of security cameras, screening, or perimeter fencing
Avoiding screening
Leaving bags unattended
Loitering
Concealing identity
Exhibiting erratic behaviour
If you see it or hear it, report it to Airport Watch at 131 237 (131 AFP).
You can make a difference!
