43 More Cases Turned In For Criminal Prosecution

The Federal Aviation Administration recently turned in an additional 43 cases of ‘unruly’ passenger behavior over to the FBI. This brings their grand total to well over 300, which are all being reviewed for criminal prosecution.

When airline crews experience a dangerous passenger, they are encouraged to report it. Then, the FAA performs an investigation to pin-point violations of the federal law or regulation. The agency, working alongside the FBI, forwards serious cases to their field offices for in-depth analysis and, in some situations, prosecution.

The FAA and FBI partnership was created in an effort to limit unruly passenger incidents. They established an information-sharing protocol in 2021, ensuring that criminal case review would occur whenever necessary.

“Let this serve both as a warning and a deterrent,” said former FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.

Several types of incidents fit under the ‘unruly’ behavior category. In the past, passengers have attempted to breach the flight deck, exhibited sexually inappropriate and disruptive behaviors, committed physical, verbal, and sexual assault, threatened passengers, and many, many more.

In 2021, there were 5,973 unruly passenger cases reported. This number is up over 400% from 2019. 402 enforcement actions were initiated in 2023, and $7.5 million in fines were levied. Though the number has declined since then, recent increases generate cause for concern.

As a result, the FAA has introduced and enforced a zero-tolerance policy. Unruly passengers can receive jail time, TSA restrictions, and, under the new reauthorization bill, up to $37,000 per violation. A single incident can contain multiple violations and, subsequently, multiple fines.

“There’s absolutely no excuse for unruly behavior,” explained FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. “It threatens the safety of everyone on board and we have zero tolerance for it.”

FMI: www.faa.gov/unruly