Sydney-Singapore flight diverted to Darwin due to ‘threatening’ passenger

The Australian Federal Police have revealed they are not investigating a man’s rambled threats of an ‘explosive’ which caused a plane to divert to Darwin. Watch the footage.

Australian Federal Police have revealed they are not investigating the actions of a man which caused a Singapore-bound plane to make an emergency landing in Darwin.

The Qantas QF81 plane from Sydney diverted to the Top End on Sunday afternoon after the drunk man threatened crew and repeatedly said the word “explosive”, according to one terrified passenger.

However an AFP spokeswoman said the matter was treated as a “medical emergency”.

“The AFP spoke with airline crew upon arrival and no further action was required,” she said.

“(We have not received a report in relation to the incident ... (and have) no further comment on this matter.”

An onlooker, who the NT News has not named, said the plane landed in Darwin about 4pm Sunday after the man’s behaviour became “disruptive”.

“The passenger taunted cabin crew to arrest him but said ‘I’m going to Singapore, don’t you dare divert’,” he said.

Australian Federal Police have attended a plane that made a "medical emergency" landing in Darwin in response to an unruly passenger who was drinking and claimed to be a criminal. Picture: Supplied

“He was drinking from his own 750ml wine bottle … claimed he needed to because he was an alcoholic, then threatened cabin crew.

“He was clearly agitated, belligerent and appeared to be heavily affected by alcohol.

“He said he was ‘a criminal’.”

The onlooker said after the “full” plane landed safely in Darwin the man, who was believed to be travelling with his brother and mother, was escorted off by four cabin crew.

Passengers were asked to remain seated as the plane sat on the Darwin tarmac, with the pilot announcing that paramedics and the Australian Federal Police were dealing with a “medical emergency”.

“Doctor attended to him for three minutes when it was apparent it wasn’t a medical emergency as such,” the onlooker said.

“The cop was searching the chair he was in … the passenger did some damage.

“The Qantas crew were super professional.

“The action started somewhere over Katherine before we diverted to Darwin.”

An Airport Development Group spokeswoman said the incident was handled by the AFP and airport management would not comment.

Qantas was contacted for a response.