{"id":6331,"date":"2023-06-05T07:02:51","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T07:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviation-news.info\/?p=6331"},"modified":"2023-06-05T07:02:51","modified_gmt":"2023-06-05T07:02:51","slug":"iata-unruly-passenger-incidents-on-flights-increased-almost-50-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviation-news.info\/?p=6331","title":{"rendered":"IATA: Unruly Passenger Incidents On Flights Increased Almost 50% In 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unruly passenger incidents were up 47% in 2022, overtaking 2021\u2019s record high of one incident per 835 flights, data compiled by the\u00a0International Air Transport Association\u00a0(IATA) has revealed.<\/p>\n

Challenging unruly behavior<\/h2>\n

The latest figures by the global civil aviation body uncovered that one in 568 flights in 2022 experienced an unruly passenger incident, ranging from smoking in-flight to drunkenness to verbal abuse. Accounting for a daily average of roughly 90,000 flights, at least 158 flights per day were affected.<\/p>\n

While incidents of non-compliance dropped following the general removal of mask mandates in 2021, figures gradually increased through 2022, rising 37% by year-end.\u00a0Violent incidents<\/a>\u00a0remained rare, though they were up 61% compared to 2021, representing one in 17,200 flights, or roughly five a day.<\/p>\n

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Photo: IATA<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Get all the latest\u00a0aviation news<\/a>\u00a0right here on Simple Flying.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

In a statement shared Sunday, the IATA called on its members to take action and enforce the Montreal Protocol 2014 (MP14), initially introduced to curb rising air rage incidents during the 2010s. As of 2023, just 45 countries had ratified the act, limiting MP14\u2019s coverage to just 33% of international passenger traffic. IATA Deputy Director General Conrad Clifford noted,<\/p>\n

\u201cThe increasing trend of unruly passenger incidents is worrying. Passengers and crew are entitled to a safe and hassle-free experience on board. For that, passengers must comply with crew instructions. While our professional crews are well trained to manage unruly passenger scenarios, it is unacceptable that rules in place for everyone\u2019s safety are disobeyed by a small but persistent minority of passengers. There is no excuse for not following the instructions of the crew.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Alongside its renewed calls to action, the IATA has also released new guidance, updated in December 2022, advising airlines on handling fines, managing incidents and de-escalation, as well as promoting collaboration between airlines, airports, and pre-flight bars to limit drunkenness and unruly behavior.<\/p>\n

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Country-by-country basis<\/h2>\n

Air rage incidents in the United Kingdom increased three-fold between 2019 and 2022, with 1,028 new cases reported during the year. Disruptive behavior noted within the\u00a0Civil Aviation Authority<\/a>\u00a0(CAA) report provided to Sky News included mass brawls, sexual assault, public indecency, and verbal abuse targeted at cabin crew and other passengers.<\/p>\n

The UK has not ratified the Montreal Protocol, though many of the act\u2019s provisions are already covered by current legislation, according to the Department for Transport. However, the government is considering introducing a new bill, headed by Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, set to bar persons convicted of air rage from future air travel.<\/p>\n

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