Avalon Airport has reopened with flights operating as normal after a boy allegedly tried to force his way onto a plane with a firearm before being overpowered by passengers.
Police were called to the airport near Geelong on Thursday afternoon following reports a male wielding a firearm attempted to board the Jetstar flight.
Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid told reporters the 17-year-old from Ballarat allegedly climbed through a hole in the airport’s security fence before making his way on foot to the plane.
The Sydney-bound flight was carrying about 150 people at the time and no one was hurt during the incident.
The teen has been charged with multiple offences including unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, orchestrating a bomb hoax and possessing a firearm.
He was remanded in custody to appear in a children’s court on a date to be determined.
Avalon Airport has fully reopened with all flights operating as normal on Friday morning.
The airport’s chief executive Ari Suss said the organisation was working with Victoria Police.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to security, we have implemented further measures across the airport, including within the terminal and surrounding areas,” Mr Suss said in a statement.
“We continue to work closely with authorities to maintain a safe and secure environment for all travellers.”
The probe is being carried out by crime squad investigators with no involvement from the force’s counter terrorism unit.
“The teen allegedly tried to climb the front stairs into the plane cabin but was noticed by passengers and subsequently overpowered by three civilians,” Supt Reid said.
“This would have been a very terrifying incident for the passengers of that plane and Victoria Police really commend the bravery of those passengers who were able to overpower that male,” he said.
Passenger Barry Clark tackled the man who was dressed as a maintenance worker when he became agitated while speaking to the flight attendant.
“Before we knew it, a shotgun appeared and I was worried about it being shot, so all I could do was push her out of the way, get the gun out of the way, break that gun and throw it down the stairs, and then put him in a hold, throw him to the ground until the police came,” Mr Clark told ABC Radio Melbourne.
“I didn’t want to see that poor girl get shot, do you just gotta do what you gotta do.”
Jetstar said it was working with police and the airport to understand what happened.
