Media Release
WA woman in NSW court charged after allegedly assaulting airline crew and AFP officers
A West Australian woman appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney today (22 April, 2025) charged with multiple offences including allegedly assaulting AFP officers, as well as airline crew members while on a flight from New Zealand to Australia.
The woman, 44, allegedly became physically and verbally abusive towards airline staff on an international flight last night (21 April, 2025) after they spoke to her on several occasions about her alleged inappropriate, disruptive and antisocial behaviour.
Airline staff requested AFP assistance to remove the woman from the aircraft on its arrival into Sydney Airport. It is alleged the woman refused to follow police instructions after two AFP officers boarded the plane to remove her.
It is further alleged the woman physically assaulted the AFP officers, with both sustaining scratches to their arms and elbows.
The woman was charged with the following offences:
- One count of assaulting a crew member of Division 3 aircraft, contrary to section 20A(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years’ imprisonment.
- Two counts of resisting Commonwealth public officials, contrary to Division 149.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is two years’ imprisonment.
- Two counts of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, contrary to Division 147.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 13 years’ imprisonment.
- One count of offensive and disorderly behaviour on an aircraft, contrary to section 91.525(4) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1988. The maximum penalty for this offence is a $16,500 fine.
The woman will reappear in court in June, 2025.
AFP Acting Sydney Airport Police Commander Daniel Hunt said the AFP had zero tolerance for disruptive or antisocial behaviour onboard aircraft or within Australian airports.
“All passengers and airline staff have the right to feel safe and it would be particularly frightening to be trapped in a confined space in the air with someone behaving badly,” a/Sydney Airport Police Commander Hunt said.
“AFP officers responding to calls for assistance at our airports should be able to do so without being subjected to such violence and aggression.
“Travellers who break the law will be dealt with swiftly.”
The AFP provides aviation security at nine major airports in Australia.
If you require a police presence at an airport, or wish to report an incident or provide information, please call the AFP’s Airport Watch on 131 AFP (131 237).
