International Air Transport Association (IATA) Tuesday released figures showing reports of unruly passenger incidents on-board aircraft increased in 2015. Some 10,854 unruly passenger incidents were reported to IATA by airlines worldwide last year.
This equates to one incident for every 1,205 flights, an increase from the 9,316 incidents reported in 2014 (or one incident for every 1,282 flights). The majority of incidents involved verbal abuse, failure to follow lawful crew instructions and other forms of anti-social behaviour.
A significant proportion (11%) of the reports indicated physical aggression towards passengers or crew, or damage to the aircraft.
Alcohol or drug intoxication was identified as a factor in 23 percent of cases, though in the vast majority of instances these were consumed prior to boarding or from personal supply without knowledge of the crew.
“Unruly and disruptive behaviour is simply not acceptable. The anti-social behaviour of a tiny minority of customers can have unpleasant consequences for the safety and comfort of all on board. The increase in reported incidents tells us that more effective deterrents are needed.
“Airlines and airports are guided by core principles developed in 2014 to help prevent and manage such incidents, but we cannot do it alone. That’s why we are encouraging more governments to ratify the Montreal Protocol 2014,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general/CEO, said.
The Tokyo Convention was modernised with the Montreal Protocol 2014, closing gaps in the international legal framework dealing with unruly passengers. To date, six states have ratified the Protocol. “More are needed in order to have a consistent global approach to this issue,” de Juniac said.
Also in 2014, the airline industry set out core principles for a balanced, multi-stakeholder strategy for tackling unruly behaviour, based around enhancing the international deterrent and more effective prevention and management of incidents.
In some countries, there has been a focus on the role of alcohol as a trigger for disruptive behaviour. Airlines already have strong guidelines and crew training on the responsible provision of alcohol.
IATA is supporting initiatives, such as the code of practice pioneered in the UK, which includes a focus on prevention of intoxication and excessive drinking prior to boarding.
