Man charged with fake Mayday calls at airport

A Melbourne man is facing trial for allegedly sending fake mayday calls to commercial aircraft at Melbourne Airport.

The alleged crime occurred within a period of two months.

“These crimes are extremely serious,” said Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Simone Butcher.

The 45-year-old was arrested after police searched his home in northeast Melbourne on Saturday.

Australian Federal Police seized four handheld radios and “associated equipment” allegedly used to transmit the jamming, including two mobile phones containing recordings of chants and mayday messages.

In September, police were alerted to the incidents by the Australian Communications and Media Authority after someone was caught using unauthorised access to air traffic control networks to broadcast chants and fake mayday messages, a statement carried by AFP news agency said.

Investigators linked the man to the crime and his apartment was searched on Saturday.

Following the arrest and seizure, he was charged with three alleged offences – one under the Crimes (Aviation) Act and two under the Radiocommunications Act.

The most serious charge against him carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

He is charged with conducting radio transmissions that may interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft with the intent to interfere with the safe operation of that aircraft. He is also charged with operating a radio device not authorized in a device license. The third charge is using a transmitter that interfered with radio communications in a manner that interfered with the safe operation of an aircraft.

Superintendent Butcher said aviation safety was critical and the appropriate procedures, processes and systems were in place to ensure the safety of flight operations across the country.

“Anyone attempting to compromise passenger safety through feigned or unauthorized access to the transport company's operations and equipment will be caught and brought to justice,” she said.

The 45-year-old man appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon.