The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has referred 43 additional cases of unruly passenger behaviour to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for potential criminal prosecution over the past year.
This brings the total number of serious cases referred to the FBI to over 310 since late 2021, as part of a partnership aimed at ensuring disruptive airline passengers face criminal charges when warranted.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasised the government’s stance on such behaviour.
“Dangerous passengers put everyone at risk—and the Biden-Harris Administration has been clear that those who disrupt flights will be held accountable,” Mr Buttigieg said.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance policy for unruly behaviour.
“There’s absolutely no excuse for unruly behavior,” Mr Whitaker said. “It threatens the safety of everyone on board and we have zero tolerance for it.”
The new referrals include a range of serious incidents, such as attempts to breach the flight deck, physical assaults on crew members and fellow passengers, and sexual misconduct.
Despite a significant drop in unruly passenger incidents since early 2021, airlines have reported more than 1,240 cases in 2024 so far.
The FAA can propose civil penalties up to $37,000 per violation for passengers who assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with airline crew members.
The FBI has created a Crimes Aboard Aircraft section on their website, providing information about the types of crimes it investigates and how people can report them.
This ongoing effort reflects the aviation industry’s commitment to maintaining safety and order on flights, with both regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies working together to address and deter disruptive behaviour.
