A Rockbank teenager accused of making hoax calls to aircraft at Melbourne and Avalon airports is expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates court today.
The 19-year-old was charged with four counts of unlawful interference with air traffic control and one count of endangering the safety of aircraft.
The charges relate to 16 separate radio transmissions at Melbourne and Avalon airports causing interference with air traffic control between September 5 and November 3 this year.
The offences carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Australian Federal Police crime operations Assistant Commissioner Chris Sheehan said the airline industry took matters of safety seriously.
“The current security measures in place for the airline industry are robust, and the travelling public should be reassured we are treating this matter appropriately,” he said.
He said there was no threat to the safety and security of the public as a result of the alleged hoax calls.
