The teenager is said to have forced his way into the plane with a shotgun, claiming he had a bag of explosives.
Airport security practices are under scrutiny after the teenager allegedly claimed he was pushing into the plane with a shotgun and putting the bomb in his bag.
The incident occurred Thursday afternoon, claiming that a 17-year-old had climbed a hole in a fence at Avalon Airport near Geelong.
The boy is said to have headed for a Jetstar plane that was flying to Sydney with 160 passengers in hand.
Avlaw Aviation Consulting Chair Ron Bartsch described the situation as simply unacceptable.
“If people can simply bypass it, then they’re going to laugh at having sophisticated scans and security systems,” Bartsch told ABC Radio.
Avalon Airport CEO Ali Susu said further security measures have been established, including within the terminal and surrounding areas.
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Avalon Airport has been fully reopened and flights are up and running as usual.
However, the Transport Workers Union is calling for security reviews of Australian airports and is pushing for a coordinated national security approach.
Federal Secretary of State Michael Cain said all players need to work together towards a safer, better aviation industry rather than mercilessly reducing costs that saw safety fall at airports.
Federal Secretary of the Association of Flight Crews, Theri O’Toole, Australia, has expressed concern that anyone can enter the airport’s restricted areas while the plane is parked overnight.
Police investigation
Victoria Police Crime Unit Investigators are working with counterterrorism officers for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) during their investigation.
Police allegedly claim the boy stole two shotguns and a rifle, and can be deduced that he intended to destroy, damage or put the aircraft’s safety in vacancies, or kill or injure anyone on board.
The teenager has been charged with several crimes, including illegal control of aircraft, poses threats to aircraft safety, adjusting bomb hoaxes, and possessing firearms.
He faces children’s court on March 7th and will be detained until his next appearance on March 21st.
Arresting a teenager
The teenager tried to climb the front stairs to the plane’s shed, but was said to have been overwhelmed by three civilians.
“Before we knew it, the shotgun came in and I was worried it might be shot,” passenger Barry Clark told ABC.
Clark worked on his teens while talking to the flight attendant.
“What I could do was keep her out of the way, keep her gun out of the way, break the gun and take the stairs down, then put him in a hold and throw him on the ground until the police came,” he said.
Sydney Swans star Jake Croyd’s parents were flying to Clark and Sydney on Friday to celebrate Lloyd’s 250th game against Geelong.
Lloyd offered his thoughts to everyone on board during the incident.
“It appears that there have been incredibly brave actions from Barry and others to keep everyone safe,” he said in a statement.
“I’m grateful that my parents are fine.”
Victoria Police Principal Michael Reid said this was a horrifying incident for passengers, and that Victoria Police would praise the individual’s courage for overwhelming the man.
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully praised the pilot and cabin manager for helping to arrest the teenager.
“They are trained to do this, but they don’t stop these efforts from being heroic,” she said.
