Unruly airline passengers up worldwide, but down in U.S.
Reports of unruly airline passengers, ranging from yelling to fighting, grew last year worldwide as airlines sought cooperation to reduce the abuse. But reports in the U.S. have declined in recent years.
Airlines worldwide reported 10,854 incidents in 2015, an increase from 9,316 incidents the year before, according to the International Air Transport Association.
The figure for last year equates to one incident for every 1,205 flights, according to the group.
Most incidents involved verbal abuse or a failure to follow crew instructions, the airline group said. But 11% of the incidents involved physical aggression toward other passengers or crew members, or damage to the plane, the group said.
"Unruly and disruptive behavior is simply not acceptable,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s CEO. “The anti-social behavior of a tiny minority of customers can have unpleasant consequences for the safety and comfort of all on board.”
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Reports in the U.S. peaked in 2004 at 310, according to Federal Aviation Administration. In recent years, the number declined from 183 in 2012 to 103 last year, according to FAA.
The disruptions can sometimes lead to a delayed flight for a diversion to an unexpected city. Under a 2000 law, the FAA can propose fines up to $25,000 per violation for unruly passengers, which increased the penalty from $1,100.
In the international arena, a Montreal agreement in 2014 sought to close gaps in the legal framework for coping with unruly passengers. But only six countries have ratified the agreement so far.
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Alcohol or drug intoxication was a factor in 23% of the incidents, with the alcohol often consumed before the flight or from a private supply brought on board, the group said.
As countries begin to focus on deterring alcohol abuse, airlines are training crews about how to responsibly provide alcohol. Airport bartenders and staffers in duty-free shops must be trained to serve alcohol responsibly and avoid binge drinking, according to the airline group.
The United Kingdom pioneered a program to prevent intoxication or excessive drinking before boarding. A Monarch Airlines initiative at London’s Gatwick Airport showed that disruptive behavior could be cut 50% with the right strategies, according to the airline group.
"There is no easy answer to stem the rise in reported unruly behavior,” de Juniac said.
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