IATA: New steps to tackle unruly passengers

The IATA 70th AGM unanimously adopted a resolution that calls on governments and industry to work together on a balanced package of measures to effectively deter and manage the problem of unruly air passenger behavior. Such behavior includes committing physical assault, disturbing good order on board or failing to follow lawful crew instructions. In 2013, the number of incidents of unruly behavior voluntarily reported to IATA by airlines reached some 8,000 cases. The adoption of the AGM Resolution follows an ICAO Diplomatic Conference at which governments agreed to modernize and strengthen the Tokyo Convention 1963. The result, known as the Montreal Protocol 2014 (MP14), provides a more practical basis for dealing with unruly behavior by extending the legal jurisdiction for such events to the territory in which the aircraft lands. “Governments have recognized that unruly passenger behavior is a serious issue and we applaud the adoption of MP14 at an ICAO Diplomatic Conference earlier this year,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “Now, governments must ratify what they have agreed to.” In addition to calling on governments to ratify MP14, the core principles adopted at the AGM include calls for:

• Airlines to ensure that they have in place corporate policies and appropriate training programs for cabin crew and ground staff to enable them to prevent or manage disruptive passenger behavior, including at check-in, during security search, and at the gate. • Governments and airlines to raise awareness of the consequences of unruly behavior • Airports and airport concessionaires such as bars and restaurants to implement procedures that could help prevent unruly behavior on flights.

Source: IATA