Ensuring the safe, secure and efficient operation of commercial flights is the shared goal of governments, airlines and the wider aviation industry. However, unruly passenger incidents on board aircraft which threaten safety and security have become a significant issue faced by airlines, flight and cabin crew on a daily basis. In addition, the behavior of this small minority of unruly passengers also adversely affects the travel experience of other passengers, causes operational disruption and leads to significant costs for airlines.
A key issue is that a significant number of unruly passengers that are involved in these events, rarely face prosecution or other legal or economic sanction. This is because of jurisdictional and other gaps in the Tokyo Convention 1963 (“the Convention”), the international aviation law instrument that covers offenses and certain other acts committed on board aircraft. These gaps undermine the deterrent effect of the Convention.
A detailed and lengthy review process culminated in a Diplomatic Conference held between 26 March and 4 April 2014. Attended by 88 delegations from Member States, the Conference adopted the ‘Protocol to amend the Convention on Offences and Certain other Acts Committed on board Aircraft’ (“the Protocol”).
Taken together with the operational measures already being implemented by airlines to prevent and manage unruly incidents, the Protocol will provide a more effective deterrent by making the consequences of such behavior clear and enforceable. This will lead to a safer and a more pleasant air travel experience for all.
AACO has joined IATA and other airline associations in adopting a joint position paper that urges states to prioritize the ratification, acceptance or accession to the Montreal Protocol 2014, which was adopted at ICAO’s Diplomatic Conference.
To read the joint position paper, kindly
click here.