The Federal Aviation Administration said on Thursday that 34 American airline passengers were facing civil fines of up to $531,545 for unruly behavior during the flight.
The U.S. reported a significant increase in the number of cases of passenger interference on airplanes. Nearly two-thirds of the new cases came from those who refused to comply with the federal transportation regulations on masks, which will last until January 18. The Washington Post reports.
Since January 1, the FAA has received 3,889 reports of unruly passengers, Of which 2,867 reports were about people’s refusal to comply with mask regulations.
The FAA summarized cases in which passengers decided not to wear masks and intended to drink alcohol on their own on the plane, as well as incidents in which passengers appeared to smoke cocaine, threw carry-on luggage at other passengers, and hide flight attendant jackets.
FAA Administrator Steve Dixon asked US airports to help combat destructive airline passengers, noting that alcohol “usually causes such unsafe behavior.”
He added that many flight attendants have reported personal attacks, and he has also implemented a “zero tolerance policy” for unruly airline passengers.
CNN says The largest fine announced was a $45,000 fine for throwing luggage at another passenger and lying on the floor of the aisle. “Grab the ankle of a flight attendant and put his head on her skirt.” .
The flight from New York to Orlando was forced to land in Virginia early.
The FAA is currently conducting 682 public investigations into passenger incidents that may violate federal laws.
