IATA: Unruly Passenger Incidents Up in 2022

The number of unruly passenger incidents in 2022 increased to one reported for every 568 flights from one for every 835 flights in 2021, the International Air Transport Association announced Sunday at its annual general meeting in Istanbul.

The most common categories of incidents in 2022 were for noncompliance, verbal abuse and intoxication, according to IATA. Each category increased from 2021. Noncompliance was up about 37 percent at 0.31 per 1,000 flights compared with 0.22 a year prior. Verbal abuse rose to 0.22 incidents from 0.14, and intoxication was at 0.17 versus 0.11. Physical abuse incidents increased 61 percent year over year but remain rare at one for every 17,200 flights.

“The increasing trend of unruly passenger incidents is worrying,” IATA deputy director general Conrad Clifford said in a statement. “There is no excuse for not following the instructions of the crew.”

The most common examples of noncompliance included smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes and puff devices in the cabin or lavatories; failure to fasten seatbelts when instructed; exceeding the carry-on baggage allowance or failing to store baggage when required; and consumption of a passenger’s own alcohol on board.

IATA recommends governments ratify the Montreal Protocol 2014, which “ensures governments have the necessary legal authority to prosecute unruly passengers, regardless of their state of origin and to have a range of enforcement measures that reflect the severity of the incident.” To date, about 45 countries accounting for 33 percent of international passenger traffic have ratified MP14, according to IATA.

The organization also wants sharing of best practices and training to de-escalate incidents, as well as collaboration with industry partners, such as airports, bars and restaurants and duty-free shops, to create an awareness campaign on the consequences of unruly behavior.