Sydney - An Australian passenger jet returned to Darwin 30 minutes after take-off because drunken passengers aboard the Singapore flight refused to behave, Jetstar said Saturday.

Police were waiting in the far-north city to escort the five off their flight on Thursday.

"Unfortunately, they've misbehaved in a very bad way and we've returned the aircraft," Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said.

The plane refuelled and took off again an hour later, but some passengers missed their connecting flights.

Jetstar decided not to press charges and the men walked free. (dpa)