Teen who allegedly boarded flight with gun fronts court

The incident has sparked widespread concern that such a major security breach could unfold at a Victorian airport. A Jetstar spokesperson said they were working with police to “urgently understand what has occurred”.

The plane – Jetstar flight 610 from Avalon to Sydney – was carrying about 150 people.

The Age has confirmed that the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police have no permanent presence at Avalon, while the responsibility for passenger screening and perimeter security sits with the airport’s owners and operators.

It is believed police raced nine kilometres from the nearby town of Lara, 18 km north-east of Geelong, to arrest the teenager who was being restrained by passengers, including Moama station farmer and shearer Barry Clark.

Clark noticed the barrel of a shotgun while the boy was talking to the flight attendant. Footage captured of the incident shows Clark, a former boxer, tackling the teenager to the ground.

The farmer threw the shotgun down the stairs outside the aircraft with the help of a pilot and other passengers.

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