Russian State Duma proposes creating register of unruly aircraft passengers

MOSCOW. Sept 27 (Interfax) - As the number of instances of unruly passenger conduct causing flight delays is growing in Russia, it is advisable to consider compiling a unified list with the names of all passengers who exhibit such behavior aboard planes, first deputy head of the State Duma's Economic Policy Committee Nadezhda Shkolkina said.

"Unfortunately, the number of unruly aircraft passengers is on the rise in our country. And we have once again met with companies and consumers and discussed that apparently it will be necessary to create a unified register of unruly aircraft passengers, modeled after the register of individuals who fail to pay taxes and child support. Therefore, we will work out a strict standard to define what is meant by unruly conduct, because many people still don't understand it. Everything may happen aboard a plane - the way you turn your head may be misinterpreted by a flight attendant, you will be taken off the plane, and will then have to prove that you meant nothing wrong. Or the situation could be the opposite," Shkolkina said on Friday at parliamentary hearings addressing the development of family tourism.

Passengers themselves have asked the authorities to sort out this issue, she said.

"Just recently, 15 or so flights were delayed because of unruly passengers. And bearing in mind the fact that the number of airplanes in our fleet is limited today, which is not a secret, and we have to 'fight' for each plane now, this situation is certainly off the scale," she said.

The Russian Interior Ministry told the Izvestia newspaper previously that the number of unruly passengers removed from flights in Russia increased by nearly 14% in 2023 year-on-year. Crews handed over 1,650 people to the police. Of them, criminal cases were opened against only 14 passengers, while 1,600 faced administrative sanctions. Over the year, the police compiled around 15,500 administrative reports against unruly aircraft passengers. Most of them envisage a fine of up to 1,500 rubles. Air carriers view this punishment for such passengers as too lenient.