The rate of unruly-passenger incidents on U.S. flights has dropped by about half since January but remains more than double the rate of late 2020, according to the FAA.
“Our work is having an impact and the trend is moving in the right direction. But we need the progress to continue,” FAA administrator Steve Dickson said in prepared remarks Thursday.
CEO frustrated
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker expressed frustration over the surge in unruly-passenger incidents.
Dickson said the agency will continue to enforce the zero-tolerance policy on unruly passenger behavior that it started early this year, meaning that it will continue its approach of not issuing warning letters and moving directly to enforcement.
So far in 2021, the FAA has received 4,385 unruly-passenger reports, including 3,199 related to wearing masks. The agency has initiated 789 investigations and 162 civil enforcement cases. Enforcement action typically involves fines.
As of last week, unruly-passenger incidents…
