An Australian passenger travelling on V Australia flight 007 from Brisbane to the US on September 11 this year used the aircraft’s on-board chatroom to announce to other passengers “I have a bomb”.

Melbourne resident, Philip Kirsch, yesterday pleaded guilty in a Brisbane court for charges of making threats regarding aviation security on the flight to Los Angeles last Thursday.

The court was told that the captain took the threat very seriously given the fact it was the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon in 2001.

The court heard Kirsch’s use of the in-flight chat room, which allows passengers to chat with each other, could have potentially created panic amongst the hundreds of passengers.

There were two other passengers logged on to the chatroom at the time.  When Kirsch made the comment, one passenger informed a crew member.

The captain had grave concerns for those on board the plane and alerted authorities to immediately remove Kirsch from the aircraft

Police quickly boarded the plane and apprehended Kirsch, from Melbourne, who admitted that he sent the message saying “I have a bomb” but claimed it was intended as a joke.

The flight was delayed for 91 minutes as the plane and Mr Kirsch’s luggage was thoroughly searched, costing V Australia $AUD 21,143.

Kirsch, who pleaded guilty to the charges, has since been given a no-fly ban for the rest of his life.

He was flying to Los Angeles to meet his girlfriend and go on a three month holiday to South America

Kirsch’s defence solicitor told the court that his client’s joke was misplaced and he felt terrible and remorseful.

Magistrate Alan Taylor described Kirsch’s behaviour as ill-considered and childish, and ordered him to pay $1500 to V Australia within nine months.