2 days ago
Chaos as passenger allegedly kicks airline crew during wine-fuelled outburst on overseas flight to Sydney
An Italian-Australian woman was arrested by federal police after allegedly drinking a bottle of her own wine on a plane and fighting airline crew on a flight to Sydney.
The dual national woman, 64, was arrested at Sydney Airport on June 3 following the chaotic flight from Noumea, New Caledonia.
Australian Federal Police allege the woman 'consumed a bottle of her own wine on a flight' and 'became verbally abusive and disruptive' when asked to stop.
When it was time for the flight to land, cabin crew asked the woman to be seated before she allegedly refused.
'Airline crew attempted to physically restrain her to a seat,' an AFP spokesman said.
'The AFP will allege the woman kicked an airline crew member in the stomach and continued to engage in antisocial behaviour.'
Airline staff requested the AFP's help in getting the woman off the plane and she was taken to the Prince Of Wales Hospital in nearby Randwick.
She was released the following day and charged with assaulting a crew member of a Division Three aircraft, offensive and disorderly behaviour on an aircraft, failing to comply with safety instructions by cabin crew and consuming alcohol not provided by crew.
The woman is due to face Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Dom Stephenson warned his officers would not tolerate disruptive behaviour in airports or on board flights.
'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,' Supt Stephenson 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.'
Those who observe concerning behaviour in or around Australian airports have been urged to report it to Airport Watch at 131 237 (131 AFP).
Reportable behaviour can include avoiding screening, leaving bags unattended, loitering, concealing identity, acting erratically, or taking photos of security - including cameras, screening, or perimeter fencing.
