A West Australian man is scheduled to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court today (5 June, 2025) charged with allegedly threatening airline staff and verbally abusing AFP officers at Perth Airport.
The man, 24, was charged by the AFP following an alleged incident on 16 May, 2025.
The AFP attended the domestic terminal in response to a man allegedly using threatening and offensive language towards airline staff after his brother missed a scheduled flight to Broome.
Despite warnings from officers about his behaviour, the man allegedly used offensive language towards police and was arrested.
He was charged with one count of acting in a disorderly manner in public, contrary to section 74A of the Criminal Code (WA). The maximum penalty for this offence is a $6000 fine.
The AFP charged a second WA man following a separate incident at Perth Airport on the same weekend.
The man, 36, was fined $1500 by the Perth Magistrates Court when he faced court on 19 May, 2025, and pleaded guilty to two offences over the incident from 18 May.
The AFP attended a departure gate inside a domestic terminal at Perth Airport on 18 May, after receiving a report about a man using offensive language while talking loudly on a mobile phone.
When officers approached him, he used offensive language and made offensive hand gestures towards them.
When they tried to arrest him, he resisted and even after being restrained, tried to flee before he was placed in a police vehicle outside the terminal.
The man, 36, pleaded guilty to:
One count of obstructing Public Officers, contrary to section 172 of the Criminal Code (WA); and
One count of acting in a disorderly manner in public, contrary to section 74A of the Criminal Code (WA).
AFP Inspector Peter Brindal said the AFP had zero-tolerance to anti-social, threatening or violent behaviour at the Perth Airport precinct or on flights.
"All travellers, visitors and staff deserve to feel safe at the airport and shouldn't be subjected to offensive or aggressive incidents," Insp Brindal said.
"If anyone feels unsafe or witnesses anything suspicious inside the Perth Airport precinct, they are urged to contact Airport Watch or report it to the nearest AFP officer."
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!
