Passenger arrested for assaulting flight crew member
A man has been arrested after being removed from an international flight for allegedly assaulting a member of the cabin crew.
Onboard a flight from Perth to Auckland on early Wednesday morning, the Australian Federal Police were alerted to a passenger who was allegedly intoxicated and disruptive.
The 23-year-old man from New Zealand allegedly assaulted a crew member, after staff alleged the man refused to comply with crew member requests during the flight.
The flight was diverted to Melbourne Airport, with AFP officers boarding the plane to remove the man, who injured the cabin crew member during the assault.
He was restrained at the back of the plane, with AFP Superintendent Stephen Cook confirming the flight was delayed as a result of the incident.
“Any violence or anti-social behaviour in a confined space in the air would be distressing for other passengers and crew,” Superintendent Cook said. “At the very least, in this alleged incident it disrupted everyone’s travel plans."
“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 23-year-old man has been charged with one count of assaulting crew affecting the performance of their duty.
Image credits: Australian Federal Police