Jetstar passenger accused of stabbing officer in the face while being escorted from flight

A Jetstar passenger is accused of stabbing a federal police officer with a pen in the latest display of unruly behaviour on a flight.

An AFP officer needed hospital treatment after being stabbed in the face and neck with a pen allegedly by a Jetstar passenger in Perth. Picture: Australian Federal Police

Incidents of passengers behaving badly on flights would appear to be on the rise, with the Australian Federal Police making another arrest after a Jetstar passenger was disruptive during the service and then is alleged to have stabbed an officer with a pen.

Police in Perth were called to meet the flight from Sydney on Monday evening after a 34-year-old woman refused to fasten her seatbelt for landing in breach of Civil Aviation Safety regulations.

As she was escorted off the flight at Perth Airport, it is alleged she pulled away and struck an officer’s arm with a pen and then another in the face and neck.

A statement from the AFP said the woman had concealed the pen under her clothing.

“An ambulance was called to treat the injured officers, one of whom was taken to Royal Perth Hospital where he spent the night,” said the AFP.

The woman was charged with two counts of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of 13 years imprisonment.

She was also charged with obstructing a public official and failing to comply with safety instructions given by cabin crew contrary to Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.

The maximum penalty for that offence is a fine of $13,750.

An AFP officer needed hospital treatment after being stabbed in the face and neck with a pen while making an arrest off a Jetstar flight. Picture: Australian Federal Police

AFP acting commander Murray Taylor said any passenger who broke the law by being violent or disruptive was dealt with swiftly and without prejudice.

“The AFP and its partners have zero tolerance for anti-social, violent or dangerous behaviour towards passengers, staff or law enforcement at our airports, and we will take action against those who offend,” acting commander Taylor said.

“Passengers expect to feel safe while travelling and should not have to witness intoxication, violence or bad behaviour.”

A Jetstar spokesperson said it was a requirement for passengers to always follow the instructions of crew and comply with safety procedures, which included fastening seatbelts for landing.

“We will never tolerate disruptive behaviour on-board our aircraft or within the terminal and appreciate the ongoing assistance and support of the AFP,” the Jetstar spokesperson said.

It was the third incident in a fortnight involving disruptive passengers on flights within or into Australia.

On January 7 a Qantas flight from Bangalore to Sydney was forced to divert to Darwin, after a passenger was allegedly shouting, spitting on the floor and refusing to follow cabin crew directions.

The AFP took the Indian national into custody in Darwin. He faced court the next day and was fined $5000.

Analisa Josefa Corr, daughter of late Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and her partner James Alexander Corr at Downing Centre Court after being charged with attacking someone while drunk on a flight from Hobart. Picture: Simon Bullard

Police were also called to intervene when a couple on a Jetstar flight from Hobart to Sydney were disruptive and allegedly attacked another passenger.

Analisa Josefa Corr, 53, the daughter of late Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and her partner James Alexander Corr, 45, were allegedly drunk after drinking alcohol they brought onto the flight on December 29.

They faced the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on January 10, and applied to have their passports returned so they could travel to Indonesia.

The application was granted, with the condition they be barred from drinking alcohol at any international point of departure and on board aircraft.

The couple is due back in court on February 24.

Originally published as Jetstar passenger accused of stabbing officer in the face while being escorted from flight