Man charged after alleged assault of cabin crew at Perth Airport

A West Australian man is scheduled to appear before Perth Magistrates Court today (7 November, 2026), after allegedly assaulting an airline crew member on a flight preparing to depart Perth Airport.

The Perth man, 57, was on a flight preparing to leave from Perth, bound for Melbourne, on Friday (6 November, 2026), when he allegedly became aggressive towards airline staff and assaulted a cabin crew member.

It will be alleged the man was seated in an exit row and was observed behaving aggressively towards airline staff, before leaving his seat and entering the toilet.

After returning to his seat, cabin crew assessed the man as unsuitable to remain seated in the exit row and asked him to move seats.

It is alleged the man attempted to retrieve his luggage from an overhead locker, then pushed a cabin manager with both hands to the chest.

Another passenger assisted cabin crew by restraining the man, before he left the aircraft when directed by airline staff.

AFP officers responded to a request for assistance and subsequently arrested the man.

The man was charged with one count of common assault, contrary to section 313 of the Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913 (WA). The maximum penalty for this offence is 18 months’ imprisonment and/or a fine of $18,000.

Stop and think. A safe journey starts with you.

Every piece of information you provide could be the key to identifying and preventing a threat at our airports. That’s why the AFP is asking you to adopt the “See it. Hear it. Report it.” approach.

Behaviours to report include:

• Taking photos of security cameras, screening points or perimeter fencing
• Avoiding security screening
• Leaving bags unattended
• Loitering
• Concealing identity
• Exhibiting erratic behaviour

If you see it or hear it, report it to Airport Watch on 131 237 (131 AFP).

You can make a difference.