Michael Slater apologises after being kicked off plane following "heated argument"

The ex-Australia Test opener has denied he locked himself in a toilet on the 74-seat plane bound for Wagga Wagga

Former Australia Test batsman Michael Slater has issued an apology after being kicked off a Qantas flight following a "heated argument" with two women.

Macquarie Sports Radio understands the 49-year-old was shouting and swearing at two friends before reportedly locking himself in the bathroom on board.

The flight from Sydney to his birthplace of Wagga Wagga was delayed by half an hour after Slater was ejected from the 74-seat aircraft.

A statement from the New South Wales native read: "I did have an argument with two friends while boarding a flight to Wagga and I apologise for the inconvenience this caused other passengers on the flight."

But the Seven Network commentator - who is scheduled to work on this summer's World Cup in England - did not barricade himself in the toilet, according to his management team.

Nick Fergus of Macquarie Sports Radio told 2GB that security was called to remove Slater from the plane when he refused to calm down - after which he spoke at length with airport staff on the runway tarmac.

"He’s been involved in an extremely heated argument — this has been described as not a run of the mill argument — it was yelling, it was swearing and it was only getting worse as they moved to their seats," Mr Fergus said.

"What we’re told by witnesses is Michael removed himself from the situation and went to the bathrooms of the plane.

"As they were doing the safety briefings he remained in the bathroom. Crews repeatedly asked him to come out and he refused.

"At that point the plane couldn’t take off and it was being delayed further and further and crew were forced to call airport security who boarded the plane."