Saeima supports expanding possibilities to take action against unruly passengers in air traffic

RIGA - Saeima on Thursday supported in principle a draft law to ratify amendments to the Convention on crimes and certain other unlawful acts committed on board aircraft, in order to be able to take action against offenders regardless of the country in whose airspace the offense was committed.

The number and severity of incidents in international aviation where disruptive passengers endanger the safety of aircraft, other occupants or property, or refuse to comply with crew instructions, has increased, the annotation to the draft law states.

In 2023, the Latvian national airline airBaltic reported 600 violations by passengers on board its aircraft. These include alcohol-related offenses against other passengers and crew, as well as disobeying crew requests, such as using a mobile phone during take-off or landing. The Riga Regional Department of the State Police has received 56 calls to aircraft, according to the annotation of the draft law.

Given that in international aviation aircraft fly between different countries, the behavior of unruly passengers is subject to the jurisdiction of different countries as to the extent of offences and their punishability, the Ministry of Transport points out.

Currently, the legislation in force in the country allows for the prosecution of passengers for offenses committed in Latvian airspace. Ratification of the Protocol will make it possible to take action against offenders regardless of the country in whose airspace the offense was committed and to punish such passengers in the country where the aircraft landed.

So far, 36 countries have ratified the Protocol. Once ratified, the Protocol will be binding on all airlines registered in Latvia. It will also apply if the flight is operated by another carrier.