A man who forced a flight from Perth to Sydney to turn around has been ordered to pay more than $17,000 in fines, including more than $8500 for jet fuel.
The West Australian man was made to pay $8630 in fuel costs and fined $9000 by Perth Magistrates Court following an incident on a flight last year.
Australian Federal Polic (AFP) Acting Superintendent Shona Davis said officer responded to a request for assistance from airline staff on board a flight from Perth to Sydney on September 25.
Acting Superintendent Davis said the man’s behaviour caused the flight to return to Perth, which required the pilot to dump fuel before landing, as well as the cancellation of the flight.
“This incident should serve as a warning that criminal behaviour on board can come at a heavy cost to the offender,” she said.
“It’s far simpler to obey the directions of airline staff than cause unnecessary issues, which can end up hitting you in the hip pocket.”
