FAA Issues Largest-Ever Fines For Unruly Flight Passengers Following Violent Incidents

Two badly behaving flight passengers have been issued with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) largest-ever fines.

Both passengers have racked up hefty financial penalties between them, after having to be physically restrained mid-flight. 

The first incident occurred on 7 July last year during an American Airlines flight from Dallas Fort-Worth to Charlotte. 

After accidentally falling into the aisle, the unruly passenger allegedly pushed and threatened to hurt a crew member who had rushed to their assistance. 

The passenger is then accused of trying to open the cabin door and hitting a flight attendant on the head. 

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Crew members were finally able to get the situation under control after restraining the passenger in flex cuffs for the rest of the flight. Finally, after landing in Charlotte, the passenger was apprehended by law enforcement officials. 

Just nine days later, on 16 July 2021, a different misbehaving passenger caused havoc on a Delta Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta. 

On this occasion, the passenger was physically restrained by a crew member after she allegedly tried to hug and kiss the passenger next to her. 

She then walked to the front of the aircraft to try and get off mid-flight, before refusing to return to her seat after she was asked to do so by crew members. 

The passenger allegedly bit another passenger multiple times, before spitting, biting and kicking crew members who were trying to diffuse the situation. 

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For their alleged actions, the first passenger was handed a fine of $81,950 (£63,963), with the second being issued a fine of $77,272 (£59,368) just nine days later.

During January 2021, the FAA adopted a zero-tolerance policy, which has seen it hand out around $2 million (£1,536,650) in fines for bad behaviour since. 

However, reports of unruly passengers have escalated to the point a bill has been introduced by American Congress members. 

There is now a no-fly list for passengers who are convicted of assaulting flight crew. 

Last month, it was announced that aircraft manufacturer Airbus completed its first-ever flight using 100 percent biofuel, largely consisting of cooking oil. 

The aviation company is hoping to create the world’s first zero-emission aircraft, which it anticipates to reach by 2035. 

The flight saw Airbus' first-ever A380 – known as MSN 1 – take off from Blagnan Airport in Toulouse, France, stay in the air for three hours and then return back to the airfield. 

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