Darwin Airport and AFP warn against anti-social behaviour on flights ahead of Easter 2025

Thinking of starting the party early en route to your Easter vacation? Police are warning travellers to think again, or risk an early end to the holiday.

Federal police and Darwin Airport have issued a warning to those travelling this Easter that flying drunk or disorderly could bring their holiday to an abrupt end.

Easter is the busiest time of year for the Darwin International Airport, with 5000 people expected to pass through each day.

Airport Development Group executive Rob Porter said alcohol related problems were an issue on flights, particularly those departing late at night, and in some cases meant staff were forced to remove anti-social passengers from flights.

“All of the people here want you to go on your journey and want you to have a great holiday – they don’t want to stop you from getting on to a flight,” Mr Porter said.

“But for safety reasons, if you’re heavily intoxicated or you’re not behaving the right way, then they’ve got a duty of care for everybody else that’s on that flight.

“Most of the issues that we have is when people have chosen to go out and have a night on the town and then fly. That’s what we’re certainly mindful of, and we just ask people to be respectful.”

Airport Development Group Executive General Manager Airports Rob Porter and Australian Federal Police Superintendent Investigation and Operations NT Greg Davis. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Australian Federal Police superintendent Greg Davis warned the consequences for bad behaviour on flights could be serious, risking fines, bans, and criminal charges.

“We have a zero tolerance for anti-social or violent behaviour, and that’s towards airport staff, airline members, and indeed members of the travelling public,” he said.

“With the Easter break approaching and the dry season we’re expecting a pretty significant ramp up in passengers, and we just want to make it really clear that you need to be patient when you’re travelling through the airport, be respectful of everyone else, and know that if you if you do misbehave, particularly on an aeroplane, there’s very serious consequences.

“That could include anything from a fine, criminal charges being laid, bans on future flights, and indeed, if it’s serious enough, imprisonment.”

Originally published as Darwin Airport and AFP warn against anti-social behaviour on flights ahead of Easter 2025