A passenger has been charged with assaulting a crew member on a flight to Sydney from the Pacific after being told she couldn’t drink wine she had taken on board.
The 64-year-old was flying from Noumea, New Caledonia to Sydney on June 3 when she was told she could not consume the bottle she had brought on board.
According to the Australian Federal Police she allegedly became verbally abusive and disruptive and refused to take her seat when the plane began to descend.
Airline crew attempted to restrain her, but the AFP allege she kicked an airline crew member in the stomach and wouldn’t calm down.
The plane was met by police at Sydney Airport, and she was taken to hospital after a health assessment.
She was released from hospital the next day.
Detective Acting Superintendent Dom Stephenson said police would not tolerate disruptive or antisocial behaviour on aircraft or in airports.
“All passengers and airline staff have the right to feel safe and should not have to witness intoxication, violence or bad behaviour, particularly when they’re in a confined space in the air,” he said.
“People who engage in antisocial behaviour should understand this not only impacts their own travel plans, but also that of hundreds of other people if they cause a flight to be delayed or cancelled.
“People who break the law will be dealt with swiftly and will be brought before the courts.”
The woman was expected to appear in a Sydney court today on charges of assaulting a crew member of a commercial aircraft, offensive and disorderly behaviour on an aircraft, failing to comply with safety instructions by cabin crew, and consuming alcohol not provided by crew.
