A Brisbane man is accused of making a bomb threat while onboard a flight and travelling under a false name.
The alleged threat happened on January 14 when the 44-year-old man boarded a flight to Brisbane at Sydney Airport.
It is alleged the man was speaking on a mobile phone before take-off and referred to a bomb.
Australian Federal Police officers escorted the man off the plane before discovering he was travelling under a fake name.
Following a search of the aircraft, it was determined there was no bomb threat.
The man was charged with making a threatening statement on an aircraft and travelling under a false name and is due to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney today.
The charges come with a maximum one year imprisonment and a $16,500 fine.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP would not tolerate threats to aviation security – overt or overheard.
“Travelling on an aircraft should be a safe experience for passengers and airline crew alike,” Blunden said.
“The AFP will continue to work closely with airline partners to deal with any behaviour that interferes with aviation security.”
