Brisbane Man Fined $1700 for Flying Under False Identity After Bomb Reference

A 45-year-old Brisbane man was fined $1700 after pleading guilty to federal offences for travelling on domestic flights under a false name. The man was removed from a Sydney to Brisbane flight in January 2025 after allegedly making a bomb reference on his mobile phone onboard, prompting a police response. Authorities discovered he had also flown earlier that day from Hobart to Sydney using the same false identity. A search of the aircraft found no explosives and the bomb threat allegation could not be substantiated. Australian Federal Police emphasized the critical importance of knowing the true identity of passengers to ensure aviation security and noted past instances where false identities were used to evade law enforcement. The AFP continues to work closely with airlines to detect and prevent security breaches and encourages the public to report any suspicious behavior to help maintain airport safety.