The UK Civil Aviation Authority today reveals that it had already received more than 200 incident reports about disruptive passengers from UK airlines in 2018 – before the busy summer flying season had even begun.
The CAA published figures that demonstrated reported incidents have skyrocketed from 98 in 2013 to 417 last year, an increase of 325%.
Although the clear majority of passengers enjoy the experience of trouble-free flying, the CAA is calling on airlines and enforcement agencies to make better use of laws already in place.
Richard Stephenson, Director of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Everyone wants their holiday flights to be enjoyable and trouble-free. Drunken and abusive behaviour on an aeroplane is totally unacceptable.
Not only does it upset everyone else, but it can also jeopardise flight safety. Criminal charges should be brought against offenders more often to act as a deterrent – passengers need to know they will face the full weight of the law should they be found guilty of disorderly behaviour.”
Offenders can be jailed for up to five years for endangering the safety of an aircraft. They can also be charged with specific offences of being drunk on board an aircraft and for acting in a disruptive manner.
Smoking and failing to obey the commands of the captain are also against the law and can be punished by a fine or imprisonment.”
