Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation Secretary, is open to the concept of a nationwide no-fly list for rowdy passengers, but he acknowledges that developing and administering such a programme will be difficult.
Buttigieg told CNN on Monday that pressure is mounting to do something about the massive number of aviation incidents since the pandemic began.
His remarks come after Delta CEO Ed Bastian sent a letter to the Justice Department last week requesting the creation of a national no-fly list.
Airlines keep their own lists, according to Bastian, but individuals barred from one airline can easily switch to another and board their flights with no repercussions.
Buttigieg remarked, “I think we need to have a look at that.” “Listen, airlines frequently create their own internal no-fly lists. Some of them have mentioned that they might collaborate on it, and we’re also considering these policy ideas.”
The trend of rowdy passengers is expected to continue in 2022, following the worst year on record in 2021. According to FAA records, there were 323 reports of rowdy passengers on aircraft in January, with roughly two-thirds of those incidents involving mask restrictions.
Reported Issues
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported little under 6,000 issues on flights in 2021.
Several flights have been cancelled in the middle of a flight due to issues, passengers have been detained for attacking flight attendants, and similar situations have occurred on a regular basis during the last two years.
“Every day, when flight attendants put on their outfits, they don’t know if they’re going to be a sign of authority and command in the cabin or a victim for a violent attack,” Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants, said.
The behaviour, according to Buttigieg, is intolerable.
“On an aeroplane, you should not act like this.” “You shouldn’t act like this on the ground,” Buttigieg added.
He admitted that putting in place a national no-fly database would be difficult, but that the difficulties should not deter him from pursuing the concept.
He explained, “Obviously, there are significant consequences in terms of civil liberties, in terms of how you govern something like that.” “I mean, even when it came to terrorism, it wasn’t easy to set up.” As a result, none of these things should be taken lightly.”
Bastian wrote to the Justice Department, claiming that a nationwide no-fly list was now required.
“[The action] will aid in the prevention of future mishaps and serve as a powerful symbol of the penalties of failing to follow crew member instructions on commercial aircraft,” Bastian wrote.
Almost 2,000 people are on Delta’s internal no-fly list.
President Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland both addressed the problem in late 2021, provoking Buttigieg’s remarks.
In October, Biden requested the Justice Department to address the increased number of plane mishaps, and in November, Garland directed prosecutors to make violence and other crimes committed by travelers on planes a top priority.
