A teenager who allegedly tried to force his way on to a commercial flight at a Victorian airport before being dramatically overpowered by passengers has faced court charged with a string of offences.
A teenager who allegedly tried to force his way on to a commercial flight at a Victorian airport before being dramatically overpowered by passengers has faced court charged with a string of offences.
By Cassandra Morgan, Melissa Cunningham, Marta Pascual Juanola and Cameron Houston
March 7, 2025 — 11.38am
A teenager who allegedly tried to force his way on to a commercial flight at a Victorian airport before being dramatically overpowered by passengers has faced court charged with a string of offences.
The 17-year-old boy appeared in person just before noon on Friday.
Dressed in a white dress shirt and black pants and flanked by two officers during his brief court appearance, the teen sat quietly and stared straight ahead.
The court heard it was his first time in custody.
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Asked by the magistrate whether he was applying for bail, the boy responded: “No, I’m not”.
He will return to court on March 21.
Police were called to Avalon Airport near Geelong on Thursday afternoon after reports a male wielding a firearm had attempted to board the Jetstar flight.
The boy allegedly climbed through a hole in the airport’s security fence before making his way on foot to the plane, Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid told reporters on Thursday evening.
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The incident has sparked widespread concern that such a major security breach could unfold at a Victorian airport. A Jetstar spokesperson said they were working with police to “urgently understand what has occurred”.
The plane – Jetstar flight 610 from Avalon to Sydney – was carrying about 150 people.
The Age has confirmed that the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police have no permanent presence at Avalon, while the responsibility for passenger screening and perimeter security sits with the airport’s owners and operators.
It is believed police raced nine kilometres from the nearby town of Lara, 18 km north-east of Geelong, to arrest the teenager who was being restrained by passengers, including Moama station farmer and shearer Barry Clark.
Clark noticed the barrel of a shotgun while the boy was talking to the flight attendant. Footage captured of the incident shows Clark, a former boxer, tackling the teenager to the ground.
The farmer threw the shotgun down the stairs outside the aircraft with the help of a pilot and other passengers.
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Cassandra Morgan is a breaking news reporter at The Age.Connect via Twitter or email.
Melissa Cunningham is a crime and justice reporter for The Age. She has previously covered health.Connect via Twitter or email.
Marta Pascual Juanola is a crime reporter at The Age.Connect via Twitter or email.
Cameron Houston is a senior crime reporter.Connect via email.
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