A Melbourne man has been charged with indecently assaulting a female passenger on an international flight from the US and will face court today.

A woman reported to airline crew during a flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne on September 22 that a 71-year-old man had allegedly touched her inappropriately and reached inside her clothes while she was trying to sleep.

Crew members relocated the woman to a different seat and alerted the Australian Federal Police, who met the flight upon landing to interview the man and witnesses.

He was arrested and later charged with indecent assault without consent.

“Every traveller on an aircraft should be able to feel safe from harm and should be confident that the AFP always takes action when we receive reports of alleged crime,” AFP Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook said.

“As passenger numbers rise for the busy school holiday period, I’d also like to remind passengers that being in the air does not alleviate the consequences of alleged illegal behaviour.”

The man faces a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment.

He was granted bail and is set to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court today.