An Australian man has to pay $5,743 in fuel costs and a fine of $5,989 after his behavior on a 2023 flight forced the pilot to double back to the airport.
The plane was flying across Australia from the western port of Perth to Sydney in the east on Sept. 25 when the incident occurred.
The defendant, 33, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of disorderly behavior on an aircraft and another count of failure to comply with safety instructions, the Australian Federal Police said in a release Monday.
Australian outlets identified him as Wade Corbett.
On the Jetstar flight, Corbett got rowdy when the flight crew cut him off from more alcohol. He refused to fasten his seatbelt and locked himself in a bathroom after being approached by the pilot, according to The West Australian newspaper.
After the U-turn, 150 other passengers were stranded in Perth overnight.
“It’s far simpler to obey the directions of airline staff than cause unnecessary issues, which can end up hitting you in the hip pocket,” AFP acting Supt. Shona Davis said in the police release.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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