Teen with gun arrested after attempting to board Jetstar flight JQ 610 at Avalon Airport in Victoria

A teenager with a gun has been arrested at Avalon Airport in Victoria after attempting to board a Jetstar flight bound for Sydney.

The 17-year-old was detained about 3pm (AEST) on Thursday at the airport situated 50km south-west of Melbourne.

It’s understood he was wearing a high-vis jacket when he attempted to board the flight, and allegedly tried to pass himself off as a maintenance worker.

It was then that a passenger spotted the firearm, and with the help of two others, held the man in a headlock.

Victoria Police arrived at the airport about 2.50pm on Thursday, and took the teen into custody.

“No doubt this would have been a very terrifying incident for the passengers of that plane,” Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid said.

“Victoria Police truly commend the bravery of those passengers, who were able to overpower that male.”

Police were investigating if a hole found in the airport’s fence was how the teen gained entry to the tarmac.

“Whether he’s breached that himself, by cutting it, or whether it’s already occurred,” Reid said before alleging ammunition had been found at the scene.

The teenager is not known to Victoria Police, and the incident is not currently being treated as an act of terrorism.

“It’s too early to establish that,” Reid said.

However, he said it was “very concerning” that the teen was able to breach security and approach the plane.

“I can’t communicate more clearly how concerning that is,” Reid said.

“It would have been a very frightening experience for those passengers involved, but once again I do really commend the bravery of those civilian passengers that helped assist to overpower him.”

Jetstar confirmed the incident occurred but has referred media inquiries to police and Avolon Airport respectively.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority and we can confirm there are no reported injuries,” a spokesperson for the airline said.

The flight, JQ 610, was scheduled to depart at 2.55pm but has since been rescheduled to depart at 5.15pm.