Woman claims to have been sexually assaulted by fellow passenger on Air NZ flight

A YOUNG woman has claimed to have suffered a sexual assault on an Air NZ flight, when a fellow passenger allegedly grabbed her breast.

The alleged assault occurred on an Air NZ flight between Sydney and Auckland. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

NEW ZEALAND police are investigating after a woman claimed to be sexually assaulted on board an Air New Zealand flight from Sydney to Auckland.

The 28-year-old, from Auckland, claimed she was “sexually violated” by a male passenger who “stuck his hand down my top.”

“This man stuck his hand down my top and felt my right breast,” she wrote on Facebook.

“I’m not afraid to stick up for myself so I punched him in he [sic] face and he blind shotted directly back. No passengers got involved.”

She said she was not offered any ice or consolation from other passengers or crew, slamming the airline for “disgusting” treatment.

The post has since been switched to private. Picture: Facebook.

The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous told Daily Mail Australia she believes the man was “sexually aroused and intoxicated.”

“When I pushed his hands back and lent forward, this was when he stuck his hand down my top.”

She said she was speaking out in order to make the airline aware of the issue and protect its female passengers.

“Air New Zealand need to be more accountable and protect females from this type of sexual harassment. And the man needs to be made accountable for his actions,” she said.

A spokesman for Air NZ said the matter has been reported to police.

“What we can say from a general perspective is that if an incident of this nature is reported on-board one of our aircraft, we generally arrange for one of the parties to be reseated to establish clear separation, arrange for police to meet the aircraft on arrival, and hand over the matter for the Police to manage from there,” a spokesman said.

New Zealand police said they are in the early stages of investigating the incident.

“Police will speak with anyone who is relevant to the investigation and that will include Air NZ,” a spokesman said.

Anyone who has information is being urged to contact Counties Manukau Police on 0064 9 261 1300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0064 800 555 111.