FAA REFERS MORE UNRULY PASSENGER CASES TO THE FBI
September 30, 2024
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To date in 2024 the FAA has referred more than forty-three (43) unruly passenger cases to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) for criminal prosecution. Under a partnership that began November 2021, the FAA has referred, in total, more than 310 cases to the FBI related to unruly passengers. Some recent referrals include: an attempt to breach the flight deck, physical assault of another passenger, and sexually inappropriate behavior towards a crewmember. The FAA noted that while “the rate of unruly passenger incidents has dropped by over 80 percent since record-highs in early 2021,” unacceptable behavior by passengers continues to occur, and will be met with criminal enforcement action and civil penalties of up to $37,000 per violation.
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