The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have put unruly travellers on notice by reminding airline passengers that inappropriate behaviour would not be tolerated.
Acting AFP Superintendent Shona Davis said the reminder followed four separate incidents at Australian domestic airports this month.
A/Superintendent Davis said airports were busier than they had been for years and police were targeting bad behaviour by travellers on the ground and in the air.
“Inappropriate or illegal behaviour at airports or on board aircraft will not be tolerated by the AFP,” A/Superintendent Davis said.
“Conduct that is abusive to airport or airline staff and endangers their safety – and the safety of other travellers – is treated seriously and may result in an arrest,” she said.
“These recent arrests serve as a warning to all airline passengers that there is no excuse for bad or violent behaviour, and there will be consequences.”
A/Superintendent Davis said AFP officers were called to the first incident earlier this month after airline staff refused to allow a 48-year-old man to board a domestic flight from Perth because he was allegedly too intoxicated.
She said the man was allegedly aggressive towards police and lunged at the officers before being restrained and arrested.
“He was issued with a Criminal Code Infringement Notice for acting in a disorderly manner in a public place,” A/Superintendent Davis she said.
She said that in a separate incident last week a 33-year-old man was taken into custody after a Sydney to Darwin flight was diverted to Brisbane in response to the man’s alleged disorderly conduct on board.
She said the man was charged with aviation offences.
“Antisocial or illegal behaviour is unacceptable in any setting and the AFP will not tolerate it at Australia’s airports,” A/Superintendent Davis said.
“When travelling through the airport and when on a plane, members of the public are bound by Australian law.”
She said the AFP would take action where there was evidence of substantive offences.
