A 23-year-old Australian woman faces the threat of up to 10 years in jail after being arrested on New Year’s Eve at Gold Coast Airport on suspicion of assaulting an airline employee.
The woman was dragged off a Melbourne-bound plane by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) before takeoff after airline staff alleged that she had been verbally abusive after boarding the aircraft.
The Victorian woman now faces an uncertain start to 2024 after the AFP charged her with assault and threatening violence or intimidating a member of airline crew contrary to subsection 20A(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991.
If found guilty, the maximum sentence is 10 years imprisonment.
“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,” AFP Superintendent Josh Kinghorn said following the woman’s arrest.
“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 expected to appear at Coolangatta Magistrates Court on 25th March.
