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Man charged after trying to break into plane at Melbourne Airport

A MAN has been charged with assault after evading Melbourne Airport security and trying to rip off a Jetstar plane door. SEE THE VIDEO

A MAN has been charged with assaulting an airline employee after allegedly breaking through security and trying to get into a plane at Melbourne Airport.

The 57-year-old man has been charged on summons with unlawful assault and will appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court next month, the Australian Federal Police said.

“Inquiries into this matter remain ongoing and the AFP cannot rule out that further charges may be laid,” an AFP spokeswoman said.

UNPLANNED LANDING GROUNDS PLANES AT MELBOURNE AIRPORT

AIRPORT FEARS VOICED BY SECURITY

The man allegedly broke through security inside the Jetstar terminal about 9.30am and ran towards the Airbus that had just offloaded passengers.

Footage obtained by 9 News shows the enraged man try to rip the door off the plane, including putting his foot up on the fuselage to get better purchase.

The man pulling on the door of the plane. Picture: 9 News
The man pulling on the door of the plane. Picture: 9 News
Baggage handlers were forced to restrain the man. Picture: 9 News
Baggage handlers were forced to restrain the man. Picture: 9 News
The man being is taken away through the terminal. Picture: 9 News
The man being is taken away through the terminal. Picture: 9 News

The incident reportedly unfolded when a man missed his flight and tried to force his way onto another plane, according to Nine Network.

Ground crew were forced to restrain the man until authorities arrived on the scene.

A Jetstar spokesman said a passenger allegedly assaulted its crew, and breached security access to the tarmac.

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“We praise our crew for safely handling this incident,” a Jetstar spokesman said yesterday.

It’s believed he was furious about missing a flight that had departed hours earlier, and was smoking inside the terminal before running for the plane.

Passengers had already disembarked the jet at the time of the incident.

It’s understood only airline staff were aboard when the man climbed the stairs.

kieran.rooney@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/man-tries-to-break-into-plane-in-security-scare-at-melbourne-airport/news-story/8b6991b247d592cf47d965c273c4bcb5