FAA sends dozens of unruly passenger cases to FBI for possible prosecution

The Federal Aviation Administration has intensified its efforts to combat disruptive behavior on flights. The agency has referred 43 cases to the FBI for potential prosecution in the last year.

Since 2021, that means the total now sits at 310, though it’s unclear how many lead to actual prosecution. The FAA said it has absolutely no tolerance for unruly behavior and it threatens the safety of everyone on board.

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Authorities say that despite an 80% decrease in total incidents on planes since 2021, current levels remain unacceptably high. In 2021, airlines filed nearly 6,000 reports with the FAA, more than 4,000 of those were related to face mask disputes.

Now, officials say incidents primarily involve aggressive behavior toward crew and passengers, unrelated to masks. The mask mandate for planes and other travel was struck down by a Florida judge in 2022.

The cases referred to the FBI encompass a wide range of severe infractions, from attempts to breach the cockpit, to physical assault and sexual misconduct.

The FAA has implemented stringent measures to deter unruly behavior. Substantial fines and criminal charges top that list. Passengers who assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with airline crew can face civil penalties of up to $37,000 per violation.

In 2023, the FAA imposed $7.5 million in fines after handling over 2,000 unruly passenger reports.