An international freight plane flying for Qantas was stuck with a $67,000 bill after making an unexpected landing at Canberra Airport.

Invoices showed the freight company had to pay the bill by credit card in three instalments because it was so large, before the plane could continue to Sydney.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, who last week likened Canberra Airport's behaviour to a crew of Somali pirates. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The diversion, in February 2017, happened a month before a controversial incident in which an escort car was parked behind a diverted Qantas plane after another unexpected landing.

An invoice and credit card receipts showed the 747 freight plane was billed a $19,000 landing charge, a $14,000 aircraft parking charge, and a $28,000 alternate operation fee, plus $6,000 in GST.