Regulatory Alert: FAA Reschedules Working Session for Airports on Unruly Passengers
September 21, 2021
This morning the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directed an invitation to all Part 139 airports to participate in a rescheduled virtual discussion on ways to respond to an increasing number of unruly passenger incidents that have occurred this year. The meeting will be an opportunity for specific airports, which have been selected by FAA, to share with senior FAA and Transportation Security Administration leadership their experiences involving unruly passengers, challenges and lessons learned, and potential best practices. AAAE will also be speaking alongside representatives from ACI-NA and the Airport Restaurant & Retail Association. 
FAA's working session has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 23, at 3-4 p.m. ET. Airport representatives can register here to access the event on Thursday. FAA had previously scheduled this event for August 26, but it was postponed due to the agency's involvement with Afghanistan relief efforts. 
Invitation to Part 139 Airports. This morning Shannetta Griffin, P.E., Associate Administrator for Airports, directed the following invitation to Part 139 airports: 
Dear Colleagues,
The FAA is hosting a series of Unruly Passenger Working Sessions with aviation stakeholders to address the dangerous in-flight behavior that threatens the safety of the traveling public. The purpose of these sessions is to identify concrete steps that the aviation system can take in the near term, as well as share best practices. We appreciate the actions our partners have already taken, but as the data show, more must be done collectively. Stakeholders include air carriers, airports, labor groups and law enforcement. TSA representatives may attend some or all of the sessions.
Our rescheduled session with airports will take place on Sept. 23, 2021 from 3 – 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Register here to attend this session. Once you register, you will receive an email from Zoom with your login information. PLEASE NOTE: If you previously registered for the Aug. 26 airports session, you do not need to register again. You will receive a separate email with your updated registration confirmation. 
During the series of meetings, we will ask you to make the following commitment:
As partners in aviation safety, we will not tolerate violent and unruly behavior on planes or at airports, no exceptions. We commit to business practices, protocols, and collaboration to mitigate the potential for interference with a crewmember, assaults, and threats of assault of other passengers that threaten the safety and security of flights. Our collective and coordinated actions will ensure a safer experience for passengers and protect our crewmembers and employees from unlawful interference.
If you have questions about the event logistics, please email liveevents@faa.gov. 
We hope to see you there!
FAA's Focus on Unruly Passengers. Throughout 2021 FAA has been increasingly more aggressive in combating passenger-interference incidents onboard aircraft and in airports. The agency has instituted a 'zero-tolerance' policy against unruly passengers, aired public service announcements (PSAs), and engaged in social media campaigns. FAA recently asked airports for assistance in combating these events by helping with criminal prosecution, the prevention of passengers bringing alcohol onboard aircraft, and the communication of PSAs in terminals. 
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 has remained actively involved in ongoing conversations on this important topic.
  
 
This morning the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directed an invitation to all Part 139 airports to participate in a rescheduled virtual discussion on ways to respond to an increasing number of unruly passenger incidents that have occurred this year. The meeting will be an opportunity for specific airports, which have been selected by FAA, to share with senior FAA and Transportation Security Administration leadership their experiences involving unruly passengers, challenges and lessons learned, and potential best practices. AAAE will also be speaking alongside representatives from ACI-NA and the Airport Restaurant & Retail Association. 
FAA's working session has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 23, at 3-4 p.m. ET. Airport representatives can register here to access the event on Thursday. FAA had previously scheduled this event for August 26, but it was postponed due to the agency's involvement with Afghanistan relief efforts. 
Invitation to Part 139 Airports. This morning Shannetta Griffin, P.E., Associate Administrator for Airports, directed the following invitation to Part 139 airports: 
Dear Colleagues,
The FAA is hosting a series of Unruly Passenger Working Sessions with aviation stakeholders to address the dangerous in-flight behavior that threatens the safety of the traveling public. The purpose of these sessions is to identify concrete steps that the aviation system can take in the near term, as well as share best practices. We appreciate the actions our partners have already taken, but as the data show, more must be done collectively. Stakeholders include air carriers, airports, labor groups and law enforcement. TSA representatives may attend some or all of the sessions.
Our rescheduled session with airports will take place on Sept. 23, 2021 from 3 – 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Register here to attend this session. Once you register, you will receive an email from Zoom with your login information. PLEASE NOTE: If you previously registered for the Aug. 26 airports session, you do not need to register again. You will receive a separate email with your updated registration confirmation. 
During the series of meetings, we will ask you to make the following commitment:
As partners in aviation safety, we will not tolerate violent and unruly behavior on planes or at airports, no exceptions. We commit to business practices, protocols, and collaboration to mitigate the potential for interference with a crewmember, assaults, and threats of assault of other passengers that threaten the safety and security of flights. Our collective and coordinated actions will ensure a safer experience for passengers and protect our crewmembers and employees from unlawful interference.
If you have questions about the event logistics, please email liveevents@faa.gov. 
We hope to see you there!
FAA's Focus on Unruly Passengers. Throughout 2021 FAA has been increasingly more aggressive in combating passenger-interference incidents onboard aircraft and in airports. The agency has instituted a 'zero-tolerance' policy against unruly passengers, aired public service announcements (PSAs), and engaged in social media campaigns. FAA recently asked airports for assistance in combating these events by helping with criminal prosecution, the prevention of passengers bringing alcohol onboard aircraft, and the communication of PSAs in terminals. 
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 has remained actively involved in ongoing conversations on this important topic.
 
  
 
  
