Brisbane plane passenger charged over alleged bomb threat

A Brisbane man is accused of making a bomb threat while onboard a flight and travelling under a false name.

The alleged threat happened on January 14 when the 44-year-old man boarded a flight to Brisbane at Sydney Airport. 

It is alleged the man was speaking on a mobile phone before take-off and referred to a bomb. 

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A plane takes off from Sydney Airport.

Australian Federal Police officers escorted the man off the plane before discovering he was travelling under a fake name. 

Following a search of the aircraft, it was determined there was no bomb threat.

The man was charged with making a threatening statement on an aircraft and travelling under a false name and is due to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney today.

The charges come with a maximum one year imprisonment and a $16,500 fine. 

AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP would not tolerate threats to aviation security – overt or overheard.

"Travelling on an aircraft should be a safe experience for passengers and airline crew alike," Blunden said.

"The AFP will continue to work closely with airline partners to deal with any behaviour that interferes with aviation security."