Emirates Airline passenger to appear in Australian court

Dubai: An Emirates Airlines passenger will appear in an Australian court on January 10, following an unruly incident on an international flight, an Australian newspaper reported.

The defendant is a 54-year-old German national, who was on flight EK432 from Singapore to Brisbane, Australia on January 2.

The Courier Mail, reported that the man had allegedly tried to smoke a number of times during the said flight, and was restrained by the cabin crew after he allegedly became violent.

A photo taken by one of the passengers and published by the newspaper shows the man in a seat with his legs tied.

Emirates Airlines confirmed on Friday that it did have an incident on-board their flight.

In a statement to Gulf News, an Emirates Airlines spokesperson stated, “Emirates can confirm that a passenger on flight EK432 from Singapore to Brisbane...was restrained by crew due to an incident mid-flight. The Australian Federal Police were called to meet the passenger upon the flight’s arrival into Brisbane Airport and he was subsequently arrested and charged.”

The spokesperson added that the safety of their passengers and crew is of “critical importance” and should not be compromised.

As the matter is now before the courts, Emirates said it cannot comment further.

The man was charged by Australian Federal Police with three offences — smoking on an aircraft assaulting crew and assaulting crew affecting the performance of their duty.

The man made his first court appearance in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday.