A man accused of touching a female passenger and sticking his hands in her food on a Gold Coast-bound flight will face court on Monday.

It will be alleged the 41-year-old targeted the woman while on an evening flight from Sydney to the Gold Coast on February 4.

The man reportedly placed his hand on the woman’s inner thigh multiple times during the flight and then put his hands in her food, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Police arrested the man when the flight touched down at Gold Coast Airport.

He was charged with one count of an act of indecency, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ jail.

The Gold Coast man is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.

AFP Detective Superintendent Scott Moller said all travelers had the right to feel safe during their journey.

Superintendent Moller stated, “People are subject to Australian law when traveling through an airport and on a plane, and if there is evidence of an alleged criminal offense, the AFP will act accordingly.”

He added, “This alleged incident should remind the community that authorities will not tolerate indecent behavior at our airports or on aircraft.”

Anyone needing a police presence at an airport or wanting to report an incident should call the AFP’s Airport Watch on 131 237.