Mareeba woman arrested by AFP over drunk behaviour on plane

The captain of a plane flying from Cairns to Melbourne ordered on-board restraints be used on a Mareeba woman who was allegedly drunk and abusive.

A Mareeba woman accused of being intoxicated and abusive on a flight from Cairns to Melbourne was escorted off the plane by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers.

The captain authorised crew and fellow passengers to intervene to restrain the woman and the AFP attended early on October 13 on the flight’s arrival in Melbourne.

Police officers escorted the woman, 44, from the flight.

Police allege the woman was drinking her own supply of alcohol on board and became disorderly and abusive towards passengers and cabin crew.

The captain of a flight from Cairns to Melbourne ordered that on-board restraints be used on a Mareeba woman who was allegedly intoxicated and aggressive. Picture: File photo

Two passengers on board the flight identified themselves as off-duty first responders and assisted the cabin crew.

The flight’s captain then authorised the use of on-board restraints to de-escalate the situation which were removed when AFP members attended at the gate in Melbourne.

The woman from Mareeba will be issued with an infringement for behaving in an offensive and disorderly manner in an aircraft under Civil Aviation Regulations Act 1988.

AFP Acting Superintendent Amanda Glover said the AFP had no tolerance for anti-social, violent or dangerous behaviour and would take action.

“It would be frightening for anyone being confined in an enclosed space with someone who is behaving aggressively,” she said.

“The brave actions of the two fellow passengers who assisted in containing this situation is commended.”

Originally published as Mareeba woman arrested by AFP over drunk behaviour on plane