A total of 80 unruly airplane passengers have been referred to the FBI for potential criminal prosecution, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Wednesday, as onboard disruptions rose sharply in 2021, many over COVID-19 mask requirements.
Highlights
- A total of 80 unruly airplane passengers have been referred to the FBI for potential criminal prosecution, the Federal Aviation Administration said on Wednesday.
- The Justice Department said Wednesday it was prosecuting a record number of passengers for interfering with flight crews.
- The increase in cases is tied to pandemic restrictions that have prompted friction on airplanes.
- The U.S.
- Justice Department has pledged to take a tough line and some airlines and labor unions have called for a “no-fly” list that would ban passengers with a record of disruptions.
- Delta Air Lines has placed nearly 1,900 people on its “no” list for refusing to comply with masking requirements.