The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is planning to tackle acohol-fuelled air rage by aggressive passengers.
According to IATA’s latest survey among its member airlines, a third of unruly passenger incidents involved alcohol
or drugs.
IATA spokesman Chris Goater said the industry group is therefore working on an awareness campaign to warn against
excessive drinking before take-off,
It has not yet been decided when the campaign, which also involves airport businesses and duty free shops,
will be launched.
While the survey showed that incidents with unruly passengers decreased by 10 per cent to around 10,000 in 2016,
there was a significant increase in passengers who had to be restrained in their seats after all other
attempts to calm them down failed.
While 113 travellers were restrained in 2015, the number rose to 169 in 2016, says IATA, which has seats in Montreal
and Geneva.
IATA estimates that the true number of air rage incidents is much higher, as only 190 among more than 800 airlines
operating around the world are providing statistics.
Besides alcohol and drugs, passengers most often fly into a rage over smoking bans, seat belt requirements and
other rules.
Quarrels among travellers are the third major reason for disruptive behaviour.(dpa/NAN)