Australian Airports Met With Surge of Unruly Behaviour During Holiday Period: AFP

Passengers and airline staff walk through an airport in Perth, Western Australia, on Oct. 24, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Australian airports weren’t just packed with holiday travellers this season—there was also a concerning surge in unruly behaviour.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) responded to 4,205 incidents at major airports between December 2024 and January 2025, resulting in 93 people being charged with 132 offences.

From security breaches to scuffles, nearly half of the charges were for offences against people or property.

In one case at Perth Airport, a 34-year-old woman allegedly assaulted two AFP officers, sending one to hospital with facial and neck injuries.

In 2023, AFP charged 49 travellers for illegal behaviour during the same busy holiday season.

Surge in Passengers, Surge in Incidents

The increase in incidents can likely be attributed to the rise in passenger numbers.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, December 2024 saw 1.85 million arrivals, up 8.7 percent from the previous year, while departures hit 2.26 million—an 11.6 percent increase.

More people, it seems, means more chaos in the terminals.

AFP Aviation Commander Craig Bellis said airports are busier than ever.

In the 2023-24 financial year, 134 million passengers travelled through Australian airports.

“We only expect numbers to continue increasing,” Bellis said.

However, he added that the AFP had zero tolerance for anti-social, violent, or dangerous behaviour towards passengers, staff, or law enforcement at airports and on aeroplanes.

“Travelling through our airports should be a safe experience, which is why the AFP and its government and industry partners work closely to prevent, disrupt and respond to security and criminal threats,” Bellis said.

Rude Awakening: Sleeping Passenger Charged for Mid-Flight Assault

As the AFP continues handling holiday season incidents, a fresh case has emerged involving a German national accused of assaulting a cabin crew member on a Melbourne-bound flight.

The 38-year-old man, who was travelling from Singapore on Feb. 18, allegedly pushed a female crew member in the chest after being woken up mid-flight.

AFP officers at Melbourne Airport took him into custody upon arrival on Feb. 19.

He was charged with assaulting a crew member but received a two-year good behaviour order with no conviction recorded.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Stephen Cook condemned the behaviour.

“Cabin crew members on flights are simply trying to go about their work day, and they don’t deserve to be subjected to violence,” he said.

AFP Urges Passengers to Help Keep Airports Safe

AFP has advised passengers to actively participate in keeping Australia’s airports secure. Through the Airport Watch program, travellers are encouraged to report any suspicious or unusual activity they observe.

Passengers can call 131 237 if they notice anything suspicious, such as unusual interest in security procedures, or attempts to access restricted areas.