Suspect Arrested After Alleged Attempt to Hijack Passenger Jet in 'Bizarre' Foiled Terror Plot: Report By Becca Longmire

A suspect has been arrested after authorities foiled what a pilot described as a “bizarre” alleged attempt to hijack a passenger plane in Australia and have it flown overseas.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and intelligence agencies have been engaged in an extensive and possibly lengthy investigation into the alleged hijacking plot, The Australian reported.

A person is in custody and there is no ongoing threat to the public, the outlet noted.

The publication reported that the alleged hijacker was planning to take control of a commercial jet at an Australian airport before attempting to fly the plane to a Middle Eastern nation.

An AFP spokesperson said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, “This matter is before the courts, with open source reporting on the individual’s court case in July 2025. Suppression orders remain in place.”

Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has been briefed on aspects of the investigation amid the alleged terror plot, including the plan to fly the plane overseas, per The Australian.

Authorities have been looking into whether there was an antisemitic motive behind the plot, the outlet noted.

Plans reportedly involved stopping the plane to refuel as it headed from Australia to the Middle East, the outlet stated.

A source familiar with the alleged plot said, “Could that plane have reached the Middle East?,” per the paper, adding, “It would have needed multiple refueling stops, but from what we understand that was the (alleged hijacker’s) intention.”

Security has now been increased at Australia’s major and secondary airports, per the outlet, with the Department of Home Affairs allegedly meeting airport owners and operators.

Pilot David Oliver spoke about the foiled plot on Australian breakfast television show, Sunrise, per 7 News.

“It’s quite bizarre, is the word that I would use,” Oliver said, adding that there are “strict security protocols” in place “both at an airport and onboard the aircraft” these days. 

“There’s security protocols on the ground which are fairly strict. Both for airport workers and non-airport workers, who have to access certain facilities,” he continued.

“(For) the aircraft, there is strict protocols for flight access which both the cabin crew and flight crew are privy to that passengers would not know. It would be difficult to get into the flight deck,” Oliver said.

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Health Minister Mark Butler said on the show that “any report of a potential hijacking” sends “shivers down the spine,” per 7 News.