IATA records 10,854 unruly passenger incidents in 2015
NAN-H-93
Passengers
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says it recorded a total of 10,854 reports of unruly passenger incidents on board aircraft worldwide in 2015.
In a statement issued by its Corporate Communication office on Wednesday in Abuja, IATA disclosed that the figure represented one incident for every 1,205 flights.
IATA said that the 2015 figure showed an increase of 1,538 from the 9,316 incidents reported in 2014 which represented one incident for every 1,282 flights.
It explained that majority of the incidents involved verbal abuse, failure to follow lawful crew instructions and other forms of anti-social behaviour.
The association said that a significant proportion (11%) of reports indicated physical aggression towards passengers or crew or damage to the aircraft.
It added that alcohol or drug intoxication was identified as a factor in 23 per cent of cases, adding that the consumption took place prior to boarding or from personal supply without knowledge of the crew.
“Unruly and disruptive behaviour is simply not acceptable. The anti-social behaviour of a tiny minority of customers can have unpleasant consequences for the safety and comfort of all on board.
“The increase in reported incidents tells us that more effective deterrents are needed. Airlines and airports are guided by core principles developed in 2014 to help prevent and manage such incidents.
“But we cannot do it alone, that is why we are encouraging more governments to ratify the Montreal Protocol 2014,’’ the statement quoted IATA’s Director-General Alexandre de Juniac as saying.
De Juniac called on member states of ICAO to ratify the Tokyo Convention modernised with the Montreal Protocol 2014.
He said that the protocol would help to close the gaps in the international legal framework dealing with unruly passengers.
According to de Juniac, more is needed in order to have a consistent global approach to this issue.
“Also in 2014, the airline industry set out core principles for a balanced, multi-stakeholder strategy for tackling unruly behaviour, based on enhancing the international deterrent and more effective prevention and management of incidents.
“In some countries, there has been a focus on the role of alcohol as a trigger for disruptive behaviour, while airlines already have strong guidelines and crew training on the responsible provision of alcohol,’’ he said.
De Juniac said that IATA would support initiatives such as the code of practice pioneered in the UK, which included a focus on prevention of intoxication and excessive drinking prior to boarding.
He added that staff in airport bars and duty-free shops should be trained to serve alcohol responsibly and to avoid offers that encourage so-called ‘binge drinking’.
“Evidence from an initiative by Monarch Airlines at London’s Gatwick Airport has shown instances that disruptive behaviour can be cut 50 per cent with this proactive approach before passengers’ board.
“The industry believes that adopting this cooperative voluntary approach is preferable to heavy-handed regulation and licensing.
“The industry’s core principles can help to manage the small percentage of passengers who abuse alcohol.
“It must be balanced with efforts by governments taking advantage of all their deterrence mechanisms, including those provided through the Montreal Protocol 14,” De Juniac said. (NAN)
OYS/FAT/NKO
(Edited by Fatima Sule/Nkechi Okoronkwo)
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