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The FAA has announced that they referred 43 cases of unruly passenger behavior to the FBI in the past year.

What’s the deal: The FAA referred 43 cases of unruly passenger behavior to the FBI in the past year for potential criminal charges, raising the total to 310 since late 2021. These cases involve severe in-flight misconduct, such as sexual assaults on passengers and crew, attempts to breach the flight deck, and other threatening actions.

Digging Deeper: The number of unruly passenger incidents referred to the FBI has significantly declined since the 2021 peak when the FAA recorded 5,973 reports—a 492% increase from 2020. While incidents decreased to 2,455 in 2022 and 2,076 in 2023, the 1,375 reports as of mid-August 2024 show that despite the drop, the frequency remains above pre-pandemic levels.

So what happens when passengers get referred to the FBI?: When the FAA refers unruly passengers to the FBI, The FBI then reviews these cases to determine if charges should be pursued, potentially leading to legal consequences beyond civil penalties. In addition to these referrals, the FAA has the authority to impose substantial fines on passengers for unruly behavior, with penalties reaching up to $37,000 per violation.

Top officials comment: In a statement, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, “Dangerous passengers put everyone at risk—and the Biden-Harris Administration has been clear that those who disrupt flights will be held accountable. Unruly travelers face stiff fines from the FAA and possible criminal prosecution too.”

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said, “There’s absolutely no excuse for unruly behavior. It threatens the safety of everyone on board and we have zero tolerance for it.”