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Aviation: Anti-social Behaviour

Asked by Mark PritchardConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 14 October 2025UIN 77034

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will increase the (a) penalties and (b) sanctions for air passengers who cause (i) disruption, (ii) delay and (iii) danger to (A) passengers and (B) crew on commercial passenger aircraft (1) during flight and (2) while on the ground.

Answered by Keir Mather

All passengers and crew should have the right to feel safe when travelling by air. The Air Navigation Order 2016 sets out offences such as endangering an aircraft, interfering with crew duties, or being drunk onboard, all of which carry criminal penalties. Airlines may also ban individuals from future travel, and the police may also investigate and charge for a public order offence. We believe the current statutory powers and industry-led measures are effective in deterring such behaviour, but we continue to keep the framework under review.

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