Charges Laid After Teenager Tried to Enter Plane With Firearm

The teenager, from Ballarat, reportedly entered the airport premises by crawling through a hole in the security fence.

In a screenshot captured from a 7News broadcast, a teenager allegedly attempts to board Jetstar flight with gun at Avalon Airport in Geelong, Victoria in Australia on March 6, 2025. The 17-year-old was apprehended by passengers before Victoria Police took him into custody. AAP Image/Provided by 7News

A teenager has been charged after trying to board a plane with a firearm before he was tackled and arrested by police.

The incident occurred on March 6 afternoon at the airport near Geelong, Victoria.

As per police reporters, the 17-year-old from Ballarat, reportedly entered the airport premises by crawling through a hole in the security fence before making his way towards a Jetstar aircraft bound for Sydney.

The flight carried approximately 150 passengers at the time, but no injuries were reported.

Police allegedly located two bags and a vehicle belonging to the boy. The Bomb Response Unit were called to assist with the bags as a safety precaution. Fortunately, no one was physically injured during the incident.

Authorities have charged the teenager with several offences, including attempting to take control of an aircraft, making a bomb threat, and firearm possession. He remains in custody and is expected to appear before a children’s court at a later date.

Passengers Intervene to Subdue Suspect

According to police, the suspect attempted to board the aircraft via the front stairs but was noticed by passengers, who quickly intervened. Three individuals managed to overpower him before authorities arrived.

One of those involved, Barry Clark, recounted the confrontation, explaining that the suspect was dressed as a maintenance worker and became visibly agitated while speaking with a flight attendant.

“Suddenly, a shotgun appeared, and I was worried it might go off,” Clark told ABC Radio Melbourne.

“All I could do was push the flight attendant out of the way, get the gun out of his hands, break it apart, and throw it down the stairs. Then I put him in a hold until the police arrived.”

Jetstar has confirmed it is working closely with Victoria Police and Avalon Airport to investigate the security breach.

Avalon Airport CEO Ari Suss stated that additional security measures had been implemented across the terminal and surrounding areas to prevent future incidents.

Surge in Aviation-Related Security Incidents

The Avalon incident comes amid a broader rise in disruptive and threatening behaviour at Australian airports.

Just a week earlier, a 44-year-old Brisbane man was charged with making a threatening statement onboard an aircraft and travelling under a false identity.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) responded to the Jan. 14 incident at Sydney Airport, where the suspect allegedly referenced a bomb while speaking on his mobile phone before takeoff on a Brisbane-bound flight.

AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden emphasised the agency’s zero-tolerance approach to aviation threats.

“Travelling on an aircraft should be a safe experience for passengers and airline crew alike,” he said. “The AFP will continue working with airline partners to address any behaviour that compromises aviation security.”

Between December 2024 and January 2025, AFP officers responded to 4,205 incidents at major airports across Australia, resulting in 93 individuals facing 132 charges.

Nearly half of these cases involved assaults or property damage. One serious case at Perth Airport saw a 34-year-old woman allegedly attack two AFP officers, leaving one with injuries requiring hospital treatment.