A man has been arrested after allegedly running naked down the aisle of a Virgin Australia flight and knocking down a crew member, forcing the plane to turn back, officials reported.
The incident occurred on a scheduled three-and-a-half-hour flight from Perth to Melbourne on Monday night. Virgin Australia’s Flight VA696 had to return to Perth Airport due to the “disruptive passenger,” according to an airline statement.
Upon landing, Australian Federal Police officers arrested the man, who allegedly ran naked through the aircraft mid-flight, causing a commotion and knocking a crew member to the floor. The man was then taken to a hospital for assessment, where he remains.
Police have stated that the man will likely be summoned to appear in a Perth court on June 14, though the exact charges are yet to be determined.
Virgin Australia issued an apology to passengers affected by the incident, emphasising that the safety of both passengers and crew is their top priority. Both the airline and police have declined to provide further comments beyond their initial statements.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that no injuries occurred during the incident, although the disruption caused significant inconvenience for passengers.
The airline reassured that they are taking the matter seriously and cooperating fully with the authorities to address the situation.
[Image created via MidJourney]