Passenger arrested over alleged mid-air assault on Australian flight

A man is expected to front court in Melbourne today after allegedly assaulting a crew member aboard an international flight.

The Australian Federal Police were alerted to a passenger who was allegedly intoxicated and disruptive during a flight from Perth to Auckland early yesterday.

A crew member was allegedly assaulted by the 23-year-old New Zealand man who is also accused of refusing to comply with their requests.

The crew member was left with a slight injury.

The plane was diverted to Melbourne Airport where Australian Federal Police officers boarded the aircraft and removed the passenger, who was restrained at the back of the aircraft.

The man was charged with one count of assaulting crew affecting the performance of their duty.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

AFP Superintendent Stephen Cook said the incident caused the flight to be delayed.

“Any violence or anti-social behaviour in a confined space in the air would be distressing for other passengers and crew. At the very least, in this alleged incident it disrupted everyone’s travel plans,” he said.

“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.”