A woman has been charged over an alleged violent incident at the Gold Coast airport.
The 23-year-old Victorian woman is accused of assaulting and threatened airline staff on New Year’s Eve on board a plane bound for Melbourne prior to take-off.
The airline staff notified the Australian Federal Police, who boarded the plan and escorted her off.
The woman has been charged with assault, threaten with violence or intimidate a person, a member of the aircraft crew, contrary to subsection 20A(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Superintendent Josh Kinghorn said there was zero tolerance for violent or abusive behaviour anywhere in the airport or on a plane.
“Other passengers and crew should not be subjected to bad behaviour, it can be quite frightening to be in an enclosed space with someone who is abusive or aggressive,” Supt Kinghorn said.
“These incidents can also cause delays for other travellers and staff. The AFP works closely with the airline industry to intervene if anyone’s behaviour interferes with the safe operation of a flight.”
The woman is due to face Coolangatta Magistrates Court on 25 March, 2024.
