There was an “alarming” increase in cases of physical abuse by unruly airline passengers last year, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata).
It said such cases remain very rare, but they rose by 61% in 2022 compared to 2021, occurring once every 17,200 flights.
Overall, there was one unruly incident reported for every 568 flights in 2022, up from one per 835 flights in 2021.
The most common categorisations of incidents in 2022 were non-compliance, verbal abuse and intoxication.
Iata has called for more states to take the necessary authority to prosecute passengers under Montreal Protocol 2014 (MP14) and action to tackle drinking at airports.
Conrad Clifford, Iata deputy director general, said: “The increasing trend of unruly passenger incidents is worrying.
“While our professional crews are well trained to manage unruly passenger scenarios, it is unacceptable that rules in place for everyone’s safety are disobeyed by a small but persistent minority of passengers. There is no excuse for not following the instructions of the crew.”
The most common examples of non-compliance were: smoking of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes and puff devices in the cabin or lavatories; failure to fasten seatbelts when instructed; exceeding the carry-on baggage allowance or failing to store baggage when required; and consumption of own alcohol on board.
Clifford added: “In the face of rising unruly incident numbers, governments and the industry are taking more serious measures to prevent unruly passenger incidents.
“States are ratifying MP14 and reviewing enforcement measures, sending a clear message of deterrence by showing that they are ready to prosecute unruly behaviour.
“For the industry’s part, there is greater collaboration. For example, as the vast majority of intoxication incidents occur from alcohol consumed prior to the flight, the support of airport bars and restaurants to ensure the responsible consumption of alcohol is particularly important.
“No one wants to stop people having a good time when they go on holiday—but we all have a responsibility to behave with respect for other passengers and the crew.
“For the sake of the majority, we make no apology for seeking to crack down on the bad behaviour of a tiny number of travellers who can make a flight very uncomfortable for everyone else.”
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