Australia: 4 passengers arrested after mid-air fight prompts emergency landing

Australian Federal Police (AFP) and NT Police arrested four passengers, including two women, after they engaged in an altercation mid-air during an unnamed flight from Queensland to the Northern Territory on Thursday.

As the incident took place, it prompted the flight to turn back to Queensland where a woman was charged.

She was removed and charged with disorderly behaviour on an aircraft, common assault, and failing to comply with safety instructions by cabin crew, an AFP spokesperson told News.com.au.

However, when the flight took off again the same group again broke into an argument which escalated into a fight. An aircraft window was damaged in the tussle between the group.

A video circulating widely on the internet shows a group of passengers standing in the aisle. In the footage, one passenger can be seen holding a glass bottle above their head, apparently preparing to strike another passenger.

After the plane landed at Alyangula on Groote Eylandt, located off the east coast of the Northern Territory, NT Police arrested three passengers.

Among them, a 23-year-old man was charged with several offenses, including intentionally endangering the safety of others, aggravated assault, damage to property, disorderly conduct in a public place, and violating a domestic violence order.

A 23-year-old woman was charged with property damage, disorderly conduct in a public place, and intentionally endangering the safety of others.

The third passenger, a 22-year-old, was charged with several offenses, including commercial drug supply, drug possession, hindering a police officer, disorderly conduct, and possessing alcohol in a restricted area, according to News.com.au.

On Monday, the three passengers are scheduled to appear before the Darwin Local Court.