Passengers on a flight that was grounded when a dramatic brawl broke out said the instigator was drunk and aggressive before he boarded.

The flight from the Gold Coast to Singapore made an emergency landing in Sydney so the man could be arrested yesterday.

Airline Scoot said the passenger "appeared normal" during boarding and takeoff, but travellers have another story.

"The guy was getting quite drunk at the bar, and we were watching him just throw them down," one said.

Early during the flight the man poured Fanta on another passenger twice, witnesses told 9News, intending to provoke him.

Other passengers had to intervene when the shirtless man overpowered cabin crew about an hour and 20 minutes into the flight.

“Stop, sir, please stop,” a cabin crew member can be heard saying.

It took five passengers to subdue him and bind his hands with cable ties.

Footage of the incident shows some passengers struggling to restrain a man acting aggressively on Scoot flight TR7. (Supplied)

An all-out brawl on the plane ensued and the shirtless man eventually was restrained. (9news)

"During boarding and take-off the passenger appeared normal," a Scoot spokesperson said today.

"After take-off, he began to disturb surrounding passengers. Operating crew quickly moved them to other seats. Crew were also instructed not to sell alcohol to him.

"The unruly passenger was eventually subdued with two restraining kits with the help of five passengers."

The Australian Federal Police and paramedics were waiting for that flight where the man was then taken into custody.

The man can be seen with his hands bound and laying in the aisle. (Supplied)

"A decision was made to return to Sydney where he was handed over to local law enforcement," the Scoot statement read.

"Crew checked on the passenger who had been assaulted and he confirmed he did not need medical attention."

The other passengers were put on other flights bound for Singapore.

In a statement, an AFP spokeswoman confirm officials responded to a request for assistance at Sydney International Airport yesterday.

"The matter involves a disruptive male passenger onboard a flight from the Gold Coast to Singapore," the statement read.

"The aircraft was diverted to Sydney and the AFP met the plane upon arrival. Enquiries into this matter remain ongoing."

The AFP said they would not charge him and the case is now closed.