Topline
The Federal Aviation Authority on Friday proposed levying the largest-ever fines against two passengers for alleged unruly behavior aboard flights last summer, as the agency continues to crack down on disruptive and violent incidents on airplanes.
Passengers take their belongings before disembarking a Pegasus Airlines plane upon landing of the … [+]
Key Facts
The FAA proposed an $81,950 fine against a passenger for allegedly threatening a flight attendant who offered to help the passenger after she fell into the aisle, pushing the flight attendant and then attempting to open the cabin door while aboard an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Charlotte, North Carolina in July 2021.
The passenger repeatedly hit a flight attendant in the head while crew members attempted to restrain her, and once restrained in flexible handcuffs, she “spit at, headbutted, bit and tried to kick the crew and other passengers,” before she was arrested after landing in Charlotte, according to the FAA.
Another passenger faces a $77,272 penalty after she allegedly attempted to exit the aircraft during the flight and bit another passenger multiple times before the crew was able to restrain her on a Delta Air Lines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta in July 2021.
Accused passengers can appeal the proposed fines, and have 30 days to respond to the agency after receiving an enforcement letter.
Big Number
$2 million. That’s roughly how much the FAA has proposed in fines and penalties for unruly passengers since the beginning of this year.
Key Background
The FAA launched its zero-tolerance campaign at the beginning of 2021 in response to a rapid rise in the number of passengers disrupting flights with their behavior as travel began to recover from the near-halt at the beginning of the pandemic. Since the beginning of this year, the FAA has received 1,081 reports of unruly passengers, and more than 700 mask-related incident reports. The agency also referred 80 unruly passengers to the FBI to be reviewed for criminal prosecution between January 2021 and February 2022. The FAA said in a statement the zero-tolerance policy has decreased the rate of unruly incidents by nearly 60%, but added “more work remains” to get rid of unruly incidents.
Crucial Quote
“If you are on an airplane, don’t be a jerk and don’t endanger the flight crews and fellow passengers,” Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said during an interview on The View on Friday. “If you do, you will be fined by the FAA.”
Further Reading
FAA Moves To Hit Unruly Passengers With $200,000 In Penalties Amid Increase Of Assaults On Planes (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/annakaplan/2022/04/08/two-unruly-airline-passengers-hit-with-record-fines-totaling-nearly-160000/