A West Australian man is expected to appear in Adelaide Magistrate's Court today (29 October 2021) for allegedly travelling under a false name and smoking on an aircraft.
Australian Federal Police officers in South Australia charged the man after they were called to meet a flight from Perth on 30 August (2021) over reports a passenger had been smoking in a plane toilet during the flight.
When officers questioned the passenger he allegedly provided his electronic itinerary in the name of a 20-year-old Perth man, however did not have any identification.
Police will allege he then told officers other details that suggested he was older than 20.
Enquiries by the AFP revealed the man was actually 26 and he had allegedly been using a relative's name.
The man was charged with:
- took a flight using an air passenger ticket obtained using false information, contrary to section 376.4(2) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- smoking on an aircraft, contrary to section 255(1A) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988;
- provide false information to a Commonwealth Official, contrary to section 137.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
AFP Acting Superintendent Michael Smith said the fraudulent use of identity and travel documents can facilitate other criminal activity.
"The AFP is working closely with our partners to protect the travelling public from any potential security threats," Acting Superintendent Smith said.
"Smoking is banned on Australian aircraft for the safety and comfort of other passengers and we will enforce these laws."
