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The nation’s top aviation official said Wednesday he maintains a “zero tolerance” policy to curb bad behavior on US airliners.
The zero tolerance policy was the Federal Aviation Administration’s attempt to deal with an increase in reports of passengers trafficking on flights. It was one of several measures taken to address security concerns following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
“Dangerous behavior on an airplane will cost you; that’s a promise,” said Billy Nolen, Acting Administrator of the FAA, in a statement accompanying the announcement.
The FAA issues a special order aimed at cracking down on unruly passengers
The special order, signed by then-FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, meant the agency could take immediate action, including levying fines on passengers who threatened, assaulted, intimidated, or otherwise disturbed crew members on an airplane. Before issuing the order, the authority often had to take intermediate steps, such as issuing warnings or recommending advice, before moving on to harsher penalties.
While such conflicts have been a problem in the past, the number of reported incidents has skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic, with reports of assaults on crew members on board.
In 2021, the FAA received nearly 6,000 reports of unruly behavior on flights, including incidents of individuals attacking crew members or attempting to bite other passengers. In 1,100 cases, she initiated investigations. Many of the incidents were also linked to conflicts over the federal mask mandate, which required travelers to wear masks on commercial flights. The mandate was lifted this week, a move many in the industry hope will reduce conflict on board.
In addition to issuing fines, the FAA can also refer individuals to the Department of Justice for prosecution. The Justice Department has pledged to prioritize investigations into crimes committed on board aircraft.
The FAA is also working with the Transportation Security Administration to revoke the PreCheck status of passengers who have been fined by the FAA.
A bill introduced in Congress this month aims to create a no-fly list for unruly passengers. During the pandemic, airlines created no-fly lists to keep passengers who behaved on flights or refused to wear masks off their planes. This week, some airlines, including United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, said they will review those lists to see if individuals’ flying privileges will be restored.