Young Aussie's chilling bomb threat before he boarded a packed flight to the Philippines READ MORE: Passenger accused of making bomb threats on Brisbane flight By MATT JONES FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 06:44 BST, 3 April 2025 | Updated: 06:44 BST, 3 April 2025 A Sydney university student has been fined $10,000 after threatening to blow up a plane because of a three-hour delay. Andre La Guardia, 22, was at Sydney International Airport on December 19 waiting to catch a flight with his family to the Philippines when he posted on Instagram: 'Imma bout to blow this s**t up'. The Instagram post showed the interior of a plane containing passengers. Instagram removed the post for breaching community standards and alerted the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The flight took off without incident with La Guardia allowed entry to the Philippines after talking with police on arrival. But on his return to Sydney on January 17, he was interviewed by police and charged with threatening aviation security. He faced Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty. His solicitor Paul Meehan argued his client was not going to follow through with the threat. Andre La Guardia was fined $10,000 after threatening to blow up a plane because of a delay 'It was an expression of frustration by a naïve young man who has now certainly learnt his lesson,' Mr Meehan told the court. Magistrate Greg Grogin said he would have jailed La Guardia but the law only deemed the offence worth a fine. 'To suggest that something is going to be blown up, particularly an aircraft, is an absolutely unbelievably stupid and unacceptable thing to do,' he said. 'If there was a jail term, Mr La Guardia, you would be receiving a term of imprisonment from me.' Magistrate Grogin acknowledged La Guardia accepted accountability through his co-operation with police, his early guilty plea and a letter of apology to the court. Outside the court, La Guardia apologised to those on the plane and said he regretted his actions. The maximum penalty for threatening aviation safety is a $16,500 fine. AFP Sydney Airport Police Commander Davina Copelin said anyone who threatened traveller safety would be held to account. Andre La Guardia was at Sydney International Airport when he posted the bomb threat online 'This incident should serve as a warning that threatening aircraft or airports can come at a heavy cost,' Detective Acting Superintendent Copelin said. 'Threats can cause a substantial loss of resources and time for airlines, and across the airport precinct. They also jeopardise the safety of members of the public, airport workers and the authorities who need to investigate the incident thoroughly.' Share or comment on this article: Young Aussie's chilling bomb threat before he boarded a packed flight to the Philippines Add comment