Australian airline passenger fined USD 12,000 for unruly behavior, Here’s more you need to know

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A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a domestic flight resulted in a hefty fine.

The Federal Australian Police (AFP) reported that the unnamed man was ordered to pay over $8,600 in fuel costs and fined $9,000 by Perth Magistrates Court following an incident last year.

Flight Forced to Return to Perth

The incident occurred in September 2023 on a flight from Perth to Sydney.

The man’s disruptive behavior caused the pilot to divert the aircraft back to Perth, necessitating the dumping of fuel before landing.

The flight was subsequently canceled, causing significant inconvenience to other passengers.

Charges and Penalties

The AFP arrested the man at Perth Airport and charged him with disorderly behavior on an aircraft and failure to comply with safety instructions.

He pleaded guilty to both offenses and was sentenced to pay a total fine of approximately $12,000.

Costly Consequences of Disruptive Behavior

While the fine may seem steep, it’s a fraction of the costs airlines incur due to diverted flights.

In one recent case, a Hawaiian Airlines flight was forced to divert due to a drunk passenger, resulting in an estimated $150,000 in costs.

The passenger in that incident was ordered to pay $98,000 in compensation.

Global Trend of Unruly Passengers

Unruly behavior on aircraft is a growing concern worldwide. In the United States, such behavior can theoretically result in fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment.

In China, there have been numerous incidents of passengers throwing lucky coins into aircraft engines.

The AFP’s Commitment to Safety

The AFP emphasized the importance of complying with airline staff instructions and warned that disruptive behavior can have serious consequences.

They are committed to ensuring the safety and comfort of all passengers.