AFP probes hoax calls to Vic airports

Australian Federal Police are investigating unauthorised contact with planes at Melbourne and Avalon airports.

Federal police are investigating numerous hoax calls made to aircraft and air traffic control towers at Melbourne airports.

They are probing 15 cases where unauthorised contact was made with aircraft at Melbourne and Avalon airports in the past month.

As a result of the breaches, the AFP's head of crime operations, Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Sheehan, issued a call for public help to identify the persons responsible for the hack.

He said police were treating the matter "extremely seriously" and airlines have been briefed on the matter.

"There is no current threat to the safety and security of the travelling public.... Travellers do not need to change their plans," the AFP said in a statement on Monday.

The ABC reports that the hoax calls caused one plane to abort its landing last month.

Website FlightRadar24 shows a Virgin Australia flight came within 275 feet of the runway as it approached Melbourne Airport on October 27, according to the ABC.

Police are yet to make any arrests in relation to the matter.


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Source: AAP


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