Regulatory Alert: FAA Requests Airports Share Administrator's Message on Unruly Passenger Policy
January 15, 2021
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is encouraging airports to share with passengers a video that FAA Administrator Steve Dickson recorded on the agency's new, stricter enforcement policy against unruly airline passengers. FAA has made available the resources below to allow airports to share the video through social media and in the gate and security checkpoint areas of the terminal.
FAA's request to airports follows the agency's adoption of a stricter legal enforcement policy against unruly passengers that went into effect on Wednesday. According to FAA, the new policy is in response to an increasing number of incidents where passengers have refused to wear masks and to recent violence at the U.S. Capitol. FAA has traditionally provided warnings and counseling or imposed civil penalties for unruly passengers. However, under the new policy, FAA is taking a 'zero tolerance' approach and will pursue an enforcement action against the passenger, including imposing fines of up to $35,000 and imprisonment, if they interfere with, physically assault, or threaten to physically assault aircraft crew or anyone else on an aircraft. The policy will be in effect through March 30, 2021. 
AAAE remains in constant contact with senior leadership from FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including in relation to the recent safety and security related events, and will continue to do so to ensure airport needs and concerns are addressed.
Links to Administrator Dickson's Message
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is encouraging airports to share with passengers a video that FAA Administrator Steve Dickson recorded on the agency's new, stricter enforcement policy against unruly airline passengers. FAA has made available the resources below to allow airports to share the video through social media and in the gate and security checkpoint areas of the terminal.
FAA's request to airports follows the agency's adoption of a stricter legal enforcement policy against unruly passengers that went into effect on Wednesday. According to FAA, the new policy is in response to an increasing number of incidents where passengers have refused to wear masks and to recent violence at the U.S. Capitol. FAA has traditionally provided warnings and counseling or imposed civil penalties for unruly passengers. However, under the new policy, FAA is taking a 'zero tolerance' approach and will pursue an enforcement action against the passenger, including imposing fines of up to $35,000 and imprisonment, if they interfere with, physically assault, or threaten to physically assault aircraft crew or anyone else on an aircraft. The policy will be in effect through March 30, 2021. 
AAAE remains in constant contact with senior leadership from FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including in relation to the recent safety and security related events, and will continue to do so to ensure airport needs and concerns are addressed.
Links to Administrator Dickson's Message
