Dramatic citizen's arrest unfolds at Brisbane Airport boarding gate

A dramatic citizen's arrest has unfolded at Brisbane's domestic airport.

It all started about 11.20am today when a man was told he couldn't board his flight.

The man had caught a flight earlier this morning from Sydney to Brisbane, where his behaviour was described as disruptive.

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One passenger told 9News the man was sprinting up and down the aisles of the plane, and at one point had even taken his shirt off.

When he was told in Brisbane that he would not be allowed to board his next flight, the man allegedly assaulted a female Virgin Australia staff member.

Passengers jumped into action, tackling him to the ground and holding him there until Australian Federal Police officers arrived.

Brisbane Airport released a statement this afternoon, thanking the passengers who helped.

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Virgin Australia said its workers were quick to act. But questions remained about how the man managed to board his flight from Sydney in the first place.

Witnesses told 9News the man was spotted acting quite erratically in the terminal, he was playing very loud music and he was even wearing a lime scooter helmet.

The man was taken to the Brisbane Watchhouse and charged with one count of assault and one of public nuisance.

He was granted bail and will appear in court next month.

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