An Australian man has been charged for making a bomb threat onboard a Perth-bound plane.

The Scoot plane, flying from Singapore, was forced to turn back under fighter jet escort on Thursday an hour into the flight when the alleged threats were made. 

Hawkins Kevin Francis, 30, allegedly told a member of the cabin crew “I have a bomb” during the flight, according to the charge sheet.

He also allegedly “uttered the word ‘bomb’ repeatedly” to another cabin crew member.

Singapore’s air force scrambled fighter jets to escort the aircraft back and the plane landed safely.

Mr Francis, who was not identified at the time, was arrested by police who boarded the plane.

They said the threat was false.

Police will allege, despite knowing the threat to be false, Mr Francis wanted to make the cabin crew believe “that a terrorist act will be carried out”.

On Saturday, he was charged under the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Regulations, the charge sheet said.

If convicted, Mr Francis faces up to 10 years in jail or a fine up to $SG 500,000 ($580,189) or both.

Mr Francis looked sombre as he heard the charges, filed at a Singapore district court, and said he understood them.

During the Saturday proceedings, he asked if he could get “an airplane ticket back to my home country in Australia” but was told it was not possible at this time.

The court ordered Mr Francis to be remanded to the Institute of Mental Health for two weeks for psychiatric observation before his case is heard again on October 27.

Scoot is the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines.

AFP