Police were called to Avalon Airport near Geelong, in Victoria, on Thursday afternoon following reports a male wielding a firearm had attempted to board the Jetstar flight.
Acting alone, the 17-year-old from Ballarat had climbed through a hole in the airport's security fence before making his way on foot to the plane, Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid later told reporters.
The flight which was carrying about 150 people was bound for Sydney.
Police have charged the youth with multiple offences including unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, orchestrating a bomb hoax and possessing a firearm.
He has been remanded in custody to appear in a children's court on a date to be determined.Â
The teen allegedly tried to climb the front stairs into the plane cabin but was noticed by passengers carrying the shotgun and subsequently overpowered by three civilians, Supt Reid said.
"This would have been a very terrifying incident for the passengers of that plane and Victoria Police really commend the bravery of those passengers who were able to overpower that male," he said.
Passenger Barry Clark tackled the man who was dressed as a maintenance worker when he became agitated while speaking to the flight attendant.
"Before we knew it, a shotgun appeared and I was worried about it being shot, so all I could do was push her out of the way, get the gun out of the way, break that gun and throw it down the stairs, and then put him in a hold, throw him to the ground until the police came," Mr Clark told ABC Radio Melbourne.
"I didn't want to see that poor girl get shot, do you just gotta do what you gotta do."
Jetstar said it was working with police and the airport to understand what happened.
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