A 21-year-old Victoria man has been charged after he allegedly assaulted a cabin crew member and passenger on a flight from Phuket to Melbourne earlier this year.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the man reportedly became aggressive on the April 1 flight after a female cabin crew member refused his request for a hug, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her.
He then allegedly walked to the back of the aircraft and assaulted a man exiting the plane's bathroom by punching him several times in the face.
Cabin crew restrained the man before the captain requested police attend the arrivals gate in Melbourne.
The man was arrested upon landing and was charged with one count of assaulting crew of an aircraft and one count of common assault.
He was due to appear in Broadmeadows Magistrates Court in Victoria today.
AFP Superintendent Stephen Cook said passengers and airline crew members had the right to travel safely, and that any violent behaviour towards them was "unacceptable".
“The AFP has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to the assault or mistreatment of passengers or cabin crew, and anyone who commits such an offence can expect to be prosecuted," Cook said.
“The AFP maintains a strong presence at Australia’s major airports for this very reason.”
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