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 Biden says U.S. will 'deal' with violence on airplanes

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday he had instructed the Justice Department to "deal" with the rising number of violent incidents onboard airplanes, many involving the requirement to wear face coverings.

"I've instructed the Justice Department to make sure that we deal with the violence on aircraft," Biden said at a speech in Illinois. "We're going to deal with that."

To date this year, there have been 4,626 reports of unruly passenger incidents https://www.faa.gov/data_research/passengers_cargo/unruly_passengers/?ipid=post_link_1, including 3,366 that were mask-related. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated enforcement actions in 177 cases, issuing more than $1 million in proposed fines.

The Justice Department did not immediately comment.

Many incidents onboard airplanes have been captured by passengers and posted on social media, drawing significant attention.

Last month, two senior U.S. Senate Democrats urged Attorney General Merrick Garland https://www.durbin.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/DOJ%20Unruly%20Passenger%20Letters%20(Sept.%2020%202021)%20Final%20Signed.pdf to investigate and prosecute unruly air passengers due to the surge in such behavior during the coronavirus pandemic.

In June, a group representing major U.S. airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, and aviation unions also asked Garland https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/exclusive-airlines-unions-urge-us-prosecute-egregious-onboard-conduct-2021-06-21 to prosecute the growing number of disruptive and violent air passengers.

The letter from Airlines for America said the "incidents pose a safety and security threat to our passengers and employees."

Last month, Delta called on other U.S. airlines to share lists of passengers who have been banned during the COVID-19 pandemic for disruptive behavior to help deter the rising number of incidents. The carrier said during the COVID-19 pandemic it has put more than 1,600 people on its "no fly" list.

FAA Administrator Steve Dickson imposed in January a zero-tolerance order on passenger disturbances aboard airplanes after supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump were disruptive on flights around the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack.

That policy will extend until at least as long as federal mask rules on airplanes are in place, which were extended in August into mid-January 2022.

Man faces multiple charges for refusing to wear mask delaying XNA flight

 

As the number of unruly passengers continues to grow nationwide, an Arkansas man who delayed an XNA flight is facing multiple charges.

 

HIGHFILL, Ark. — The FAA reporting an increase in unruly passengers who are refusing to wear masks and one of the most recent incidents happened this week in Northwest Arkansas.

XNA passengers aboard an American Airlines flight were asked to get off a plane Wednesday (Oct. 7) after a man refused to wear a mask while onboard.

“So, it delayed at one of our flights in the morning on October 6 headed to Dallas,” said Alex English, XNA PR and Marketing.

The flight was delayed by 30 minutes because of the man not complying with the face mask policy. 

Officials say the man was arrested and is now facing charges of public intoxication, third-degree battery, and disorderly conduct.

Cases like the one at XNA are becoming more common amid the pandemic.

“My colleagues are anxious and fearful. What’s going to happen on the next flight? How will this passenger react if I request them to wear their mask?,” said Teddy Andrews with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants.

According to an FAA report, from the start of the year to Oct. 3 there have been nearly 4,626 reports of unruly passengers, 3,366 of them are for not wearing masks.

“Flight attendants, gate agents and other employees have the right to go to work without the fear of being harassed, intimidated, abused, as assaulted, period,” said Republican Missouri Representative, Sam Graves.

Due to a federal mandate, masks are required inside airports and airplanes nationwide.

“That means coming into an airport or you’re going onto an aircraft, you will be required to wear your mask for the entirety of your trip,” said English.

XNA says they follow a three-step process to ensure everyone is masked inside the airport or on board a flight.

Saying they will first offer passengers a mask if they don’t already have one. If refused, they are arrested and charged with criminal trespassing and could face further penalties.

However, some are asking for more to be done.

“Now what do we need?,” asked Sara Nelson, former International President of the Association of Flight Attendants. “We need DOJ criminal charges and enforcement, make the FAA zero-tolerance policy permanent,” said Nelson.

TSA has not released the man’s name but says he was arrested by local law enforcement once removed from the plane.