Flight diverted after Brisbane man's verbal tirade: police

A Brisbane man has been charged with assault after an onboard incident forced a flight to be diverted to Townsville.

Police said the 45-year-old started verbally abusing other passengers and crew on the flight headed from Brisbane to Darwin yesterday morning.

The plane was diverted to Townsville and the man was escorted off the plane.

He is due to appear in Townsville Magistrate's Court today charged with offensive and disorderly behaviour, prohibited items on-board an aircraft - strict liability, assaulting crew, carrying prohibited items through a screening point, certain offences committed on aircraft and common assault.