FLIGHT DRAMA | Melbourne woman dragged off Thailand-bound flight after allegedly abusing passengers and crew

The 37-year-old appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday after Australian Federal Police officers were called to board the diverted aircraft and physically remove her after she refused to leave on her own.

The drama unfolded on April 12 aboard a flight from Melbourne to Thailand, when airline staff contacted AFP officers seeking assistance after the woman allegedly began behaving in an increasingly erratic manner during the journey.

The situation escalated significantly before the plane touched down, with the woman allegedly directing a stream of verbal abuse at both passengers and cabin crew.

Her behaviour was serious enough to prompt the flight's captain to divert the aircraft to Perth.

When the plane landed, AFP officers boarded and removed the woman after she failed to comply with directions to exit the aircraft.

She has been charged with one count of behaving in an offensive and disorderly manner endangering safety on an aircraft under regulation 91.525(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of $16,500. The woman is next due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on May 11.

AFP Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said the incident was an unacceptable disruption to what should have been a routine flight for everyone on board.

"Any kind of aggressive or anti-social behaviour on a flight can pose a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft, and passengers onboard," Brindal said.

"Airline staff and passengers should never be subjected to abusive or anti-social behaviour on flights."

He said the AFP worked closely with the airline industry to intervene whenever anyone threatened the safety of workers or the public in, around, or on flights.

The case is a timely reminder of the serious legal consequences facing passengers who lose control at altitude.

Disruptive behaviour on aircraft is treated as a criminal matter under Commonwealth law, not merely an airline issue.

Offenders can find themselves facing court far from home if a diversion is required.

AFP officers are a permanent presence at major Australian airports and can respond rapidly to incidents both on the ground and onboard diverted aircraft.

Passengers who witness suspicious behaviour at airports, including erratic conduct or unattended bags urged to report it to Airport Watch on 131 237.