A Canadian traveller is accused of trying to open the emergency exit door of a plane while the aircraft was mid-flight to Sydney.
The traveller allegedly attempted to open the door about two hours into the flight from Vancouver to Sydney on Tuesday.
The man was intoxicated at the time, police said.
Another passenger spotted the man and raised the alarm, prompting airline staff to move him to another seat at the rear of the aircraft.
He was then supervised for the rest of the flight before Australian Federal Police officers met him at the arrival gates.
“It will be alleged the man was intoxicated at the time of the incident,” police said.
Upon arrival, AFP officers arrested and charged the man with one count of threatening the safety of an aircraft, which carries a maximum penalty of a $5,000 fine or imprisonment, or both.
“The AFP and our aviation partners have no tolerance for antisocial, violent or dangerous behaviour and we will take action,” AFP detective inspector Dom Stephenson said.
“Passengers expect to feel safe and should not have to witness or endure intoxication or reckless behaviour.”
