Perth, Australia: A 57-year-old West Australian man has been charged with common assault following an alleged assault on a cabin manager aboard a passenger aircraft preparing to depart Perth Airport for Melbourne on 6 November 2026. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced the charge on 7 November, following the man’s arrest.
According to the AFP, the man was seated in an emergency exit row and was allegedly behaving aggressively towards the cabin crew before leaving his seat to enter the aircraft toilet.
After he returned, the cabin crew assessed him as unsuitable to remain in the exit-row seat and instructed him to move.
While retrieving his luggage from an overhead locker, he allegedly pushed the cabin manager with both hands in the chest. Another passenger intervened and assisted the crew in restraining him.
The man was subsequently directed to leave the aircraft and complied. AFP officers responded to a request for assistance and arrested him.
The man was charged with one count of common assault under Section 313 of the Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913 (WA), which carries a maximum penalty of 18 months’ imprisonment and/or a fine of AUD 18,000. His name has not been publicly disclosed, and the identity of the cabin manager has also not been released.
The AFP did not specify the reason for the alleged behaviour or disclose details of any injuries. The man was scheduled to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on 7 November 2026. The AFP announcement did not provide the outcome of the scheduled court appearance.
