The Australian Federal Police has seized 168 prohibited weapons from Canberra Airport in the past three-and-a-half years.
In the same period, the force responded to 31 incidents involving drunk or offensive behaviour and dealt with seven people making threatening or false statements, including people pretending to carry explosives.
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Christmas warning for airport travel
Police are warning people not to bring weapons or unruly behaviour to the airport this Christmas, with more than 2000 weapons seized at major airports in the past financial year.
The AFP has warned it will not tolerate bad behaviour during the silly season - a time when incidents are more likely to occur.
AFP protection operations national manager David Sharpe said there was no excuse for violent or offensive behaviour at airports.
"Airport staff, pilots and the cabin crew are there to make sure your journey is an enjoyable one," Assistant Commissioner Sharpe said.
"It is disappointing that they have to restrain violent passengers, and even be abused or assaulted when trying to do their jobs.
"Police will take action against any unruly behaviour or prohibited items seized at the airports, so don't ruin your or your family's holiday before it even begins."
The majority of weapons seized at Canberra Airport since 2013-14 were credit card knives, followed by scissors, nail clippers and pocket knives. Capsicum spray, knuckle dusters and ceremonial daggers were "rarely" found.
Three charges linked with intoxicated or offensive behaviour have been laid in the same period with the majority of incidents taking place in 2014-15.
What not to do: Police released this staged picture of a passenger.
Canberra Airport managing director Stephen Byron said the facility fared well compared to other airports.
"Generally we have a flying public very respectful of each other and where there are isolated incidents the AFP take care of those," he said.
Australian Services Union assistant national secretary Linda White said the Christmas period was a testing time for airline employees. The union represents ground workers, including check in and reservations staff, and has campaigned against air rage for several years.
"What we do find is the thing that irritates people is if they've got alcohol, that's one of the big things," she said.
"The other thing that really kills it is long waits, long queues and missing their flights. A lot of people with cheap tickets, they don't understand and get really mad."
Justice Minister Michael Keenan reminded people they were bound by Australian law when passing through an airport or travelling by plane.
"The message is clear: the law doesn't stop just because you're on holiday," he said.
"Travellers should remember too that the police and airlines are well within their rights to impose their own charges, bans or recover costs associated with any flight diversions.
"I encourage all Australians to stay safe this holiday season and ensure the safety of their fellow travellers by abiding by our laws."
Nationally, in the 2015-16 financial year, the AFP charged:
- Seventy-six people with offences relating to offensive behaviour at an airport or on a plane, including drunkenness or violent behaviour;
- Eight people after they failed to comply with directions from airport or airline staff, and
- Ten people for making threatening or false statements at an airport, such as false claims of carrying explosives.