A Thai national has been accused of punching another passenger on board a flight from New Zealand to Australia.

The travelers had boarded in Wellington and were disembarking once the plane touched down at Sydney Airport on Wednesday when the fight broke out.

The 25-year-old is said to have punched the passenger sitting next to him when his luggage fell on his head while the crew were removing him from the overhead compartments.

The Australian Federal Police were notified by airline staff about the alleged incident and arrested him on board.

“It is alleged that the man became aggressive and punched the passenger in the face,” AFP said in a statement.

The man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The man appeared in Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court on Thursday.

The Thai national allegedly hit a fellow passenger when luggage from an overhead compartment fell on his head (stock image)

Acting AFP Superintendent Damien Full said passengers and airline staff should not be subjected to aggressive or offensive behavior anywhere in the airport or on the plane.

“The AFP has zero tolerance for violent or abusive behaviour,” Acting Superintendent Full said.

“Aggressive action in a confined space can be extremely frightening for everyone.

“The AFP works closely with the airline industry to intervene if someone’s behavior affects the welfare of other passengers.”