Every 568th flight affected
Photo:
APA/dpa
Dhe International Airline Association (IATA) sees growing problems with passengers becoming absent. The number of incidents increased last year, and not just because there were significantly more flights than in the corona year 2021. While it hit an average of one in 835 flights in 2021, it was every 568th flight last year. “The growing trend is worrying,” said IATA Deputy Director General Conrad Clifford.
It is often about passengers who do not follow the instructions, insult the staff or are drunk. Last year, it was not primarily about wearing corona masks, as the IATA announced. Even after this rule was lifted, the number of incidents increased. Passengers illegally smoked in the toilets, drank alcohol they had brought with them or refused to buckle up. There are also violent attacks, but rarely: in 2022 there was arithmetically one such attack per 17,200 flights.
The airline association IATA has called on countries to enshrine penalties for unruly passengers, regardless of where they come from or which airline they were on board. In airports, local bars and duty-free shops, information campaigns should inform guests about the consequences of illegal behavior even before the flight. IATA’s headquarters are in Geneva. The annual conference takes place in Istanbul.
