As airports brace for an influx of Easter travellers, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is sounding a clear warning—poor behaviour at airports or on planes won’t just delay your holiday plans; it could land you in court or behind bars.
From threatening to blow up planes to opening aircraft doors mid-flight and assaulting staff or fellow passengers, a range of reckless incidents have been reported across Australia’s major airports. And authorities say they’re cracking down harder than ever.
In 2025 alone, AFP aviation teams have charged 347 individuals with 408 offences, a sharp rise that mirrors a troubling trend from the past 12 months, during which 1180 people were charged with 1442 offences.
“Travellers should be aware bad behaviour can result in flight cancellations, airline bans, criminal convictions and hefty fines,” said AFP Aviation Commander Craig Bellis.
“Don’t ruin your holiday plans because of poor choices—your holiday destination will be much nicer than a police holding cell.”
The AFP will increase high-visibility patrols across airports in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney this Easter period to help curb incidents before they escalate.
“For many, the Easter holiday period is a time of celebration,” said Commander Bellis.
“However, higher traveller numbers and potentially longer waiting periods can lead to a spike in bad behaviour, triggered by impatience or intoxication.”
And the examples speak for themselves. A 22-year-old man from southwest Sydney was fined $10,000 for using social media to issue threats against an aircraft. Other recent airport incidents included:
- A 37-year-old New Zealand national, charged for allegedly assaulting an airline employee and two strangers at Sydney Airport (1 April).
- A 46-year-old man, who allegedly tried to open an emergency exit mid-flight and assaulted airline staff on a plane to Sydney (5 April).
- A 37-year-old man charged with disorderly conduct after punching a wall at Perth Airport when removed from a flight due to intoxication (7 April).
- A 67-year-old foreign national, charged with an act of indecency against a fellow passenger on a flight from Los Angeles to Sydney (7 April).
The AFP says it has already logged over 31,000 hours in preventive patrols and security measures since 1 January 2025. These include perimeter inspections, intelligence-led patrols, and explosive detection dog sweeps.
“Airports are complex environments with countless people, luggage and cargo moving in and out every hour,” said Commander Bellis.
“The AFP is committed to working with our aviation partners to ensure safety and security across the entire precinct—from terminals to hangars, runways and beyond.”
Travellers are encouraged to take a few simple steps to make their journey smoother and avoid stressful delays or confrontations:
- Check in online or via your airline’s app;
- Monitor traffic and allow plenty of time to get to the airport;
- Be aware of luggage weight limits and prohibited items;
- Stay patient during security screening;
- If travelling with children, bring food and distractions to keep them occupied.
As Commander Bellis put it:
“Be patient, be mindful of your alcohol intake and follow airline advice. A few smart choices can mean the difference between a dream holiday and a nightmare detour through the justice system.”
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