In recent years, airlines have reported an increase in unruly and disruptive passenger behavior on board. This includes incidents such as violence against crew and fellow passengers, harassment, verbal abuse, smoking, and refusal to follow safety or public-health instructions. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), around 60 operators filed 53,538 incident reports in 2024, equal to one event for every 395 flights. Non-compliance with crew instructions remained the most common issue, and reports of verbal and physical aggression also increased.
Such incidents sometimes lead to delays and diversions, which create operational disruption that can cost airlines thousands of dollars. This financial burden, combined with growing safety concerns, has pushed regulators and carriers to take strict actions such as fines against passengers who refuse to follow the rules. France is now the latest to implement a dedicated enforcement framework. It recently announced severe penalties that include fines of up to $23,000 (€20,000) and flight bans lasting as long as four years.
Unruly Passengers Could Face Fines Up to $23,000
The country has put its new rules into force through a decree published in the Official Journal, which took effect on 8 November. The measure includes the creation of a dedicated database that will allow airlines to report cases of “harmful behavior” directly to the authorities. A government statement lists several behaviors that now fall under the new enforcement framework. These include using electronic or electrical devices when cabin crew have prohibited their use, obstructing safety-related duties, and refusing to comply with instructions issued during the flight.
Under Decree No. 2025-1063, the French Minister for Civil Aviation can now issue fines of $11,560 (€10,000) for a single offense and around $23,000 (€20,000) for repeat offenders. Passengers responsible for the most serious violations may also face a boarding ban of up to four years. These penalties apply to all flights operated by carriers holding a French operating license. It is worth noting that the new framework operates alongside the country’s existing administrative sanctions, which already allow criminal prosecution for the most serious in-flight offenses.
These cases can lead to penalties of up to five years in prison and fines reaching around $86,520 (€75,000). Philippe Tabarot, Minister of Transport, said, “The safety of passengers and crews is our top priority. Disruptive behavior on board aircraft is not acceptable. They endanger flight safety and compromise the working conditions of flight crews. With this decree, we give ourselves the means for rapid, fair, and proportionate repression. This new regulatory framework is a strong signal: disruptive behavior will no longer be tolerated and will be subject to effective administrative sanctions.”
Operational Disruption From Unruly Passengers Adds Heavy Costs For Airlines
The move comes as European regulators report rising levels of antisocial behavior on board. According to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), between 200 and 500 incidents are logged each month, with at least 70% involving some form of aggression. The agency notes that every three hours, a flight within the EU faces a safety risk linked to an unruly passenger, and about once a month, the situation escalates to the point that forces an emergency landing. As noted previously, such events often create significant operational disruption, including diversions, extended block times, and missed onward connections for passengers.
Under EU261, carriers must compensate travelers for long delays caused by issues within the airline’s control, though the regulation does not apply when delays result from extraordinary circumstances. The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that violent or unpredictable behavior requiring a diversion generally falls into that category, as it lies outside the routine operation of an airline. However, the court also noted that this exemption does not apply automatically; carriers may still be responsible if they contributed to the situation, such as boarding an intoxicated passenger or serving alcohol to someone already behaving aggressively.
|
Estimated Average Cost Of A Diversion* |
|
|---|---|
|
Type of flight |
Cost per diverted flight |
|
Regional flights ( (Regional Jet & Turboprop) |
$8,075 to $91,138 (€7,000 to €79,000) |
|
Continental flights (1,500–3,000 kilometers) (Narrowbody; Low-cost carriers) |
$5,678 to $144,200 (€5,000 to €125,000) |
|
Continental flights (1,500–3,000 kilometers) (Narrowbody; Mainline operators) |
$9,230 to $118,115 (€8,000 to €157,000) |
|
Intercontinental flights (>3,000 kilometers) (Widebody) |
$31,150 to $421,080 (€27,000 to €365,000) |
*The table above presents the estimated average cost of the diversion of a flight to an airport other than the one initially planned. These values have been estimated through an extensive consultation process with the airline members (Eurocontrol).
Airlines must also demonstrate that they took all reasonable steps to prevent the delay. That said, any diversion (including one caused by unruly behavior) places a heavy financial strain on carriers, regardless of compensation liability. According to Eurocontrol, medium-haul diversions can cost low-cost airlines between $5,678 (€5,000) and $144,200 (€125,000) and mainline operators between $9,230 (€8,000) and $118,115 (€157,000), depending on the location and scale of the disruption.
How Much Does It Cost To Divert A Boeing 737?
Airlines are showing no patience for unruly passengers, following many instances over the last year where the airlines have sought compensation from those that have caused the flight to divert.
Europes largest low-cost carrier has no tolerance for unruly passengers
Ryanair Has Introduced A Fine For Unruly Passengers
Earlier this year, an Irish low-cost carrier, Ryanair, took legal action against an unruly passenger following the diversion, which resulted in more than $17,300 (€15,000) in costs for the airline. The incident occurred on flight FR7124 from Dublin to Lanzarote in April 2024, which was forced to divert to Porto for an overnight stop. Ryanair explained that the disruption left 160 travelers facing an unplanned hotel stay and the loss of a full day of their holiday.
Indeed, this was not an isolated event, and the airline has voiced frustration at the impact some unruly passengers have on its operations. In response, earlier this year, the budget carrier introduced a $650 (£500) fine aimed at deterring behavior that results in passengers being removed from a flight. The airline has said this will serve as a minimum penalty, with the possibility of further civil claims depending on the scale of the disruption caused.