Qantas: Why police are NOT investigating a passenger’s disturbing threats that forced a Singapore-bound flight to make an emergency landing in Darwin after he started drinking his own bottle of wine
Police have revealed there will be no further investigation after a Qantas flight to Singapore was forced to make an emergency landing in Darwin when a ‘drunk’ man began making threats.
The Australian Federal Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that a ‘medical emergency’ was the cause of the incident on board flight QF81, which led to disturbing outbursts from the passenger, using the word ‘explosive’.
Officers spoke to flight crew as the flight from Sydney landed in Darwin at 4pm on Sunday.
It is understood the male passenger required ‘medical attention’, was removed from the flight and subsequently hospitalized.
After the man was removed from the plane, police reportedly searched his seat (photo)
The diverted Qantas flight to Singapore was grounded in Darwin for an hour while the passenger was removed and hospitalized. Pictured: A Qantas aircraft in Darwin in 2020
The flight was on the ground for an hour and then continued to Singapore as planned.
An onlooker said the passenger mocked the crew with the words “don’t you dare swerve” and repeatedly used the word “explosive.”
The NT News reported that the drama started when he started drinking his own bottle of wine during the flight, telling cabin crew he ‘had to do this’ because he was an ‘alcoholic’.
“He was clearly agitated, combative and appeared heavily under the influence of alcohol,” said the witness on board.
“He said he was ‘a criminal’.”
After the man was removed from the plane, the police came to search his seat.
The Qantas plane departed for Darwin around 4pm on Sunday, where the male passenger was escorted from the plane by four cabin crew.
“On Sunday, October 1, 2023, the AFP was advised that an aircraft originating from Sydney bound for Singapore was diverted to Darwin International Airport following a medical emergency on board,” an AFP spokesperson said in a statement.
After officers spoke with flight crews, the statement said no further action was necessary.
“The AFP has no further comment on this matter.”
“We thank our customers for their understanding and our crew for their professionalism,” Qantas said in a statement.