FAA refers more unruly passengers for criminal investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration referred dozens more unruly passengers to the FBI for potential criminal investigation so far this year.
Another 39 unruly passengers were referred.
That makes a total of 270 since late 2021.
Of the new cases, it involved 22 incidents in the second quarter of 2023.
In 2021 there was a five-fold surge in aggressive and/or unruly passenger incidents, largely from the mask mandate on flights.
The FAA says it continues a zero-tolerance policy on in-flight misbehavior.
Since those record highs, the rate has significantly fallen.
However, it remains too high, the FAA says.
“Unruly behavior poses serious safety concerns for passengers and crew, said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Of the almost 6,000 reported cases in 2021, nearly 4,300 were mask-related.
Recent incidents have included assaults on flight attendants and an attempted cockpit incursion.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently proposed stronger penalties including a no-fly list for violent passengers.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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