A Melbourne woman has appeared in Perth Magistrates Court today (13 April, 2026) charged with alleged disruptive behaviour on an international flight.
AFP officers responded to a request for assistance from airline staff about an incident onboard a flight from Melbourne to Thailand yesterday (12 April, 2026).
The woman, 37, allegedly acted in an increasingly erratic manner during the flight before escalating to verbally abusing passengers and cabin crew.
The plane was forced to divert to Perth Airport where AFP officers boarded and removed the woman after she failed to exit the aircraft as directed.
The woman was charged with one count of behaving in an offensive and disorderly manner endangering safety on an aircraft, contrary to regulation 91.525(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is a $16,500 fine.
She is next scheduled to appear in court on 11 May, 2026.
AFP Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said airline staff and passengers should never be subjected to abusive or anti-social behaviour on flights.
"Any kind of aggressive or anti-social behaviour on a flight can pose a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft, and passengers onboard," a/Supt Brindal said.
"The AFP works closely with the airline industry to intervene if anyone interferes with the safety of workers or the public in, or around, an airport, or on flights."
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!
