An Indian man was arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a female passenger on an international flight. 

The 52-year-old faced Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday after allegedly assaulting the woman sat next to him during a flight from Singapore to Perth on Monday.

The distraught woman sought help from airline staff, who moved her to a different seat and monitored the man for the remainder of the flight.

Australian Federal Police officers met the plane on its arrival at Perth Airport and escorted the 52-year-old from the aircraft for questioning. 

The AFP and WA Police Sex Assault Squad are jointly investigating the alleged incident.

The Indian national was charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of an act of indecency without consent.

The first charge carries a maximum sentence of 12 years behind bars while the latter has a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment. 

AFP Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said the AFP had a zero tolerance for criminal behaviour on aircrafts or within Australian airports.

‘Every passenger has the right to feel safe when travelling, especially when confined in an aircraft close to other passengers,’ he said.

‘Anyone subjected to unwanted contact is encouraged to alert the authorities, be it airline staff, the AFP or airport security, as soon as it is safely possible to do so.

‘No act of indecency on an aircraft or at an airport is appropriate, and any travellers who break the law will be dealt with swiftly.’