Hobart Airport: Traveller arrested after alleged in-flight meltdown

A passenger on a flight to Hobart in which a man allegedly behaved in an “abusive and disorderly” manner has claimed the dispute kicked off over an e-cigarette. WHAT HE SAID >

UPDATE: A traveller on a Virgin Australia flight on Wednesday night from Melbourne on which a 25-year-old man allegedly “behaved in an abusive and disorderly manner”, leading to his arrest at Hobart Airport, claims the dispute was kicked off by vaping.

The 25-year-old, understood to be a Melbourne resident of European origins, has been charged with a variety of offences, relating both to his alleged behaviour on the plane and his subsequent search and arrest about 10.30pm.

He appeared before Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday.

A passenger on the flight alleged to the Mercury the man was vaping on the aeroplane when he was asked to stop by his neighbours.

“He started recording them on his mobile phone,” the passenger claimed.

“One lady asked to be moved away from them as she felt uncomfortable and that’s when staff took his e-cigarette.”

After the seatbelt sign came off, the man walked down the aisle, the passenger claimed, coming into contact with other passengers.

EARLIER: A 25-year-old is facing multiple charges after allegedly becoming “abusive” and behaving in a “disorderly manner” on a flight to Hobart on Wednesday night.

Tasmania Police confirmed they attended Hobart Airport on Wednesday night about 10.30pm.

“It is alleged the man behaved in an abusive and disorderly manner while on-board a flight arriving at Hobart,” a police representative said.

“He was charged with a number of offences relating to this conduct, as well as drug possession, and resisting and assaulting police.

The man was detained to appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Tasmania Police would not confirm where the flight departed from – however, the only flight which landed at Hobart in the minutes before the arrest was a Virgin Australia flight from Melbourne, which landed at 10:11pm.

A witness told the Mercury he saw “three police cars rush to the airport” at the relevant time to meet airport staff who had detained the man.

“There was a loud argument between him and the police,” the witness said.

“He was made to pick up his luggage from the carousel, then he was pushed into the police paddy wagon.”