Woman, 78, allegedly bit flight attendant

AN elderly woman who allegedly bit the arm of a flight attendant during an argument on a flight is among dozens of Australians who were hit with criminal charges at major airports over the summer period.

A total of 49 travellers were hit with 69 offences including alleged assault, drug possession and weapon offences over the school holidays.

Among the most dramatic alleged offences was a 78-yearold woman who is accused of striking another passenger in the face during an argument on board the aircraft.

She then allegedly bit the arm of a flight attendant who had intervened in the dispute.

The incident allegedly unfolded on board a flight from New Zealand to the Gold Coast on January 29.

The woman is scheduled to appear in court on April 3.

Another incident involved a 41-year-old Australian man who allegedly consumed 700ml of duty-free scotch on an international flight from New Zealand to Sydney on January 9. The man lost consciousness and allegedly became verbally abusive towards airline staff upon landing. AFP officers organised for the man to be taken to hospital for medical care.

The operation – codenamed Operation Sleigh – aimed to crack down on offensive, disruptive and illegal behaviour in the air and on the ground.

Another 24 people were handed infringement notices for intoxication, offensive and disorderly behaviour, creating a disturbance and failing to comply with directions from airline staff over the same period.

Offenders who cause chaos on flights can face up to 20 years’ imprisonment, according to the AFP.