A 44-year-old West Australian woman has faced court in Sydney after she allegedly assaulted Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers and airline crew during a flight from New Zealand to Australia.
AFP Acting Sydney Airport Police Commander Daniel Hunt condemned the alleged behaviour, warning that the AFP has zero tolerance for aggression towards officers and antisocial conduct on flights.
“All passengers and airline staff have the right to feel safe, especially in the confined space of an aircraft,” Commander Hunt said.
“Travellers who break the law will be dealt with swiftly.”
Appearing at the Downing Centre Local Court today (22 April 2025), the woman was charged with multiple offences over an incident on board the international flight on Monday night (21 April).
Authorities allege the woman became physically and verbally abusive towards airline staff after they confronted her several times over her inappropriate, disruptive and antisocial behaviour.
The situation escalated when the plane arrived at Sydney Airport. Airline staff requested assistance from the AFP, who boarded the aircraft to remove the woman. She allegedly refused to comply with police directions and physically assaulted the two officers, leaving both with scratches on their arms and elbows.
She was charged with:
- One count of assaulting a crew member under the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment;
- Two counts of resisting Commonwealth public officials under the Criminal Code Act 1995, each carrying a maximum of two years’ imprisonment;
- Two counts of causing harm to Commonwealth public officials, which carries a maximum penalty of 13 years in prison;
- One count of offensive and disorderly behaviour on an aircraft under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1988, which carries a fine of up to $16,500.
The woman has been granted bail and will reappear in court in June.
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