A drunk passenger has been detained after he tried to enter the cockpit of a Virgin Australia plane as it flew from Brisbane to Bali.
Virgin Australia’s representative at Bali’s international airport, Heru Sudjatmiko, says a drunken and unruly passenger became aggressive and was handcuffed by cabin crew.
The man was handcuffed and put into a rear seat of the Boeing 737-800.
National police spokesman Suhardi Alius said the passenger had been arrested over the incident.
Palani Mohan, a passenger on a Garuda flight that was about to take off from Bali, said: "The captain of my plane made an announcement saying we were delayed indefinitely because a hijack was going on in Bali airport, about 150 metres away from us.
"I saw at least five vehicles including military-style trucks, filled with men in uniform, rushing towards the plane.
"Then the Virgin plane taxied away, followed by the convoy of security forces. The flight attendant said it's been taken off to a different part of the airport.
"Bali airport seems to be in lockdown, we've been told no planes will be departing or arriving. The pilot's not allowing anyone off our plane."
Virgin Blue Airlines, also known as Virgin Australia, is the country’s second largest airline. Based in Brisbane, it was set up Sir Richard Branson and Brett Godfrey.
