MELBOURNE— Two male passengers were restrained during Virgin Australia (VA) flight VA7 from Melbourne (MEL) to Doha (DOH) after they allegedly threatened people onboard and became involved in a physical altercation.
The daily service to the Middle East was operated by Qatar Airways (QR), with the incident taking place during Friday’s flight.
The situation escalated inside the aircraft as cabin crew and passengers intervened to control the two men. Qatar Airways later confirmed that both passengers were restrained and handed over to local authorities after the aircraft arrived in Doha.
Passengers Restrained Onboard During Flight
Footage shared online appears to show crew members struggling with passengers during the incident, while another video shows uniformed police officers inside the aircraft after it reached Doha.
Passengers could reportedly be heard applauding as authorities took control of the situation.
Reports from passengers indicated that fellow travellers assisted the crew in restraining at least one of the men. Cable ties were reportedly used, while cabin crew and passengers remained involved in controlling the situation until the aircraft reached its destination.
The incident reportedly caused significant concern among people seated close to the two passengers. One passenger told local media that her 63-year-old mother had been sitting next to the men and described the experience as frightening.
Alleged Threats Escalate During Flight
Accounts from passengers alleged that the two men behaved aggressively toward cabin crew during the flight. They were reportedly accused of headbutting and spitting at flight attendants while also shouting that they had a gun.
The allegations have not been independently confirmed as evidence of an actual firearm onboard. However, the reported threats prompted passengers and crew members to take action as the situation developed inside the aircraft.
One account suggested that several people were required to restrain each passenger in the galley area. The reported use of multiple people to control the men highlights the seriousness of the disruption for both the crew and passengers.
Authorities Take Control After Landing
Qatar Airways confirmed that two male passengers were involved in a physical altercation on VA7 while the aircraft was operating between Melbourne and Doha. The airline said both passengers were restrained during the flight , NINE reported .
After landing in Doha, authorities met the aircraft and took custody of the two passengers. Qatar Airways said the men were handed over to local authorities for further action.
The incident adds to the growing attention surrounding disruptive passenger behaviour and the challenges faced by airline crews when managing serious onboard disturbances.
Cabin crews are trained to respond to security and safety concerns, but incidents involving alleged threats can require assistance from passengers and authorities.
No further details about possible charges or the identities of the passengers were immediately available. The circumstances surrounding the alleged threats are expected to be assessed by authorities in Doha.
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