Regulatory Alert: FAA Directs Letter to Commercial Service Airports on Unruly Passengers
August 5, 2021
This afternoon Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Steve Dickson directed a letter to Part 139 commercial service airports, requesting assistance in three areas to help manage the increasing number of unruly passenger incidents that have occurred this year. The three areas include the pursuance of criminal charges against these types of passengers; working with concessionaires to prevent passengers from bringing alcohol onboard an aircraft; and sharing the agency's recently released public service announcement (PSA) called 'Kids Talk,' where children talk about behaving properly on a flight. 
Criminal Penalties. In the letter, Dickson indicates that each week the agency comes across situations where local law enforcement is asked to meet aircraft at the gate following an unruly passenger incident onboard an aircraft. However, after being interviewed by local police, the passenger is often released without criminal charges. Dickson notes that '[w]hen this occurs, we miss a key opportunity to hold unruly passengers accountable for their unacceptable and dangerous behavior.' 
AAAE has communicated to FAA and to our other federal and industry partners that while airports are eager to help reduce unruly and dangerous behavior, airport law enforcement faces limitations regarding criminal enforcement of these types of incidents and must act within appropriate authorities. AAAE will remain actively involved in ongoing conversations on this topic.   
Role of Alcohol in Incidents. According to Dickson, FAA's investigation into these unruly passenger incidents shows that alcohol is often a contributing factor. This includes passengers purchasing alcohol 'to go' and believing they can take it onboard an aircraft. The agency is asking for airports to work with concessionaires on education to ensure passengers understand that carrying open alcohol onboard their flight is prohibited under Part 121. 
'Kids Talk' PSA. Lastly, FAA is asking airports to share a recently released PSA called 'Kids Talk' in their terminals, particularly in boarding areas, to help educate passengers. In the PSA, children discuss the importance of behaving properly on a flight. You can find the PSA on FAA's YouTube page here. 
 
This afternoon Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Steve Dickson directed a letter to Part 139 commercial service airports, requesting assistance in three areas to help manage the increasing number of unruly passenger incidents that have occurred this year. The three areas include the pursuance of criminal charges against these types of passengers; working with concessionaires to prevent passengers from bringing alcohol onboard an aircraft; and sharing the agency's recently released public service announcement (PSA) called 'Kids Talk,' where children talk about behaving properly on a flight. 
Criminal Penalties. In the letter, Dickson indicates that each week the agency comes across situations where local law enforcement is asked to meet aircraft at the gate following an unruly passenger incident onboard an aircraft. However, after being interviewed by local police, the passenger is often released without criminal charges. Dickson notes that '[w]hen this occurs, we miss a key opportunity to hold unruly passengers accountable for their unacceptable and dangerous behavior.' 
AAAE has communicated to FAA and to our other federal and industry partners that while airports are eager to help reduce unruly and dangerous behavior, airport law enforcement faces limitations regarding criminal enforcement of these types of incidents and must act within appropriate authorities. AAAE will remain actively involved in ongoing conversations on this topic.   
Role of Alcohol in Incidents. According to Dickson, FAA's investigation into these unruly passenger incidents shows that alcohol is often a contributing factor. This includes passengers purchasing alcohol 'to go' and believing they can take it onboard an aircraft. The agency is asking for airports to work with concessionaires on education to ensure passengers understand that carrying open alcohol onboard their flight is prohibited under Part 121. 
'Kids Talk' PSA. Lastly, FAA is asking airports to share a recently released PSA called 'Kids Talk' in their terminals, particularly in boarding areas, to help educate passengers. In the PSA, children discuss the importance of behaving properly on a flight. You can find the PSA on FAA's YouTube page here. 
 
