An Australian passenger was made to cover an airline’s fuel expenses and faced hefty fines after causing a disturbance during his flight, which led the captain to return to Perth and cancel the trip.

As reported by the Australian Federal Police, the incident occurred on a flight from Perth to Sydney on September 25, 2023. A 33-year-old man from Western Australia exhibited disruptive behavior onboard, forcing the pilot to jettison fuel prior to returning to Perth.

Last week, he entered a guilty plea to one charge of disorderly conduct on an aircraft and another for not following safety guidelines.

He was mandated to compensate the airline $8,630 AUD (approximately $5,741 USD) for fuel costs and was additionally fined $9,000 AUD (around $5,987 USD).

“This incident highlights that unlawful behavior on flights can lead to substantial financial penalties for those involved,” remarked acting Australian Federal Police superintendent Shona Davis. “It is much easier to follow the instructions of airline personnel than to create problems that can result in hefty charges.”

Unruly passengers have been a significant challenge for U.S. airlines as well, with the Federal Aviation Administration reporting 43 such disturbances to the Department of Justice over the past year.

Zach Wichter is a travel journalist for YSL News based in New York.