WASHINGTON — U.S. officials say they are referring fewer unruly airline passengers to the FBI for possible prosecution than they did during the pandemic, although they say the number of incidents remains too high.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that it referred 43 reports to the Federal Bureau of Investigation during the past year. That brings the total to more than 310 since late 2021.
It is not clear how many cases resulted in prosecution.
Airlines have reported more than 1,240 cases to the FAA this year. compared with nearly 6,000 in 2021. Relatively few of them are deemed serious enough to be passed along to the FBI for investigation and potential filing of criminal charges.
The FAA said the rate of passenger misbehavior has dropped by more than 80% since early 2021, when many confrontations with flight attendants and other passengers started with travelers who objected to wearing a face mask in the midst of a deadly global pandemic.
A federal judge struck down the mask rule in 2022, leaving airlines, airports and mass transit systems to make their own decisions about mask requirements. The Biden administration did not appeal the decision. Airlines and Republican politicians urged the administration to let the rule die.
“There’s absolutely no excuse for unruly behavior,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said Wednesday. “It threatens the safety of everyone on board, and we have zero tolerance for it.”
Referrals in the past year included passengers who tried to break into the cockpit, assaulted airline crew members or other passengers, or threatened others on the plane.
The FAA can propose civil penalties up to $37,000 but lacks authority to file criminal charges.
The agency announced a “zero-tolerance policy” in January 2021 under which it levied fines instead of issuing warning letters. Late that year, it struck a deal with the FBI to increase prosecutions.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently taken a strong stance against unruly airline passengers by referring 43 cases to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for potential prosecution. This move comes in response to a concerning increase in disruptive behavior on flights, which has posed serious safety risks to both passengers and crew members.
According to the FAA, there have been over 3,800 reports of unruly passengers since the beginning of 2021, with the majority of incidents involving passengers refusing to comply with mask mandates or engaging in physical altercations with flight attendants. These incidents have led to flight diversions, delays, and in some cases, emergency landings.
In an effort to address this issue, the FAA has implemented a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly behavior on flights. This includes fines of up to $35,000 for passengers who refuse to comply with crew instructions or engage in disruptive behavior. In addition, the FAA has now referred 43 cases to the FBI for potential criminal prosecution.
The decision to involve the FBI in these cases highlights the seriousness of the issue and sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. By working with law enforcement agencies, the FAA hopes to deter future incidents and hold accountable those who put the safety of others at risk.
Passengers are reminded to follow all crew instructions, adhere to mask mandates, and treat airline staff with respect. Disruptive behavior on flights not only endangers the safety of everyone on board but also disrupts the travel experience for other passengers.
In conclusion, the FAA’s decision to refer cases of unruly passengers to the FBI for potential prosecution is a necessary step in addressing the growing problem of disruptive behavior on flights. By holding individuals accountable for their actions, the FAA hopes to create a safer and more enjoyable flying experience for all passengers.
