Aviation collaborates against unruly passengers

Through close collaboration between the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway and the Federation of Norwegian Aviation Industries, along with key industry stakeholders, we are committed to improving working conditions in aviation. The goal is clear: to intensify efforts against the issue of unruly passengers and ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience for all.

Composition of the project group

The project group consists of several key parties in Norwegian aviation, including:

• Labour organizations such as Handel og Kontor, LO-Aviation, Norwegian Cabin Crew Association, Norwegian Airline Pilots' Association, and Parat Cabin Crew Union.
• Airport operators like Avinor, Haugesund Airport Karmøy, and Torp Sandefjord Airport.
• Ground handling companies such as Aviator, Menzies, WGH, SGH, and Red Handling.
• Airlines like Norwegian, SAS, Norse, and Widerøe.
• Police and other relevant authorities.

The collaboration also extends internationally, with support from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA), and other key players in international aviation.

Four main pillars of collaboration:

To effectively address the problem, the project group has identified four main pillars that form the foundation of their strategy:

Communication

A joint public awareness campaign was launched to prevent unruly behaviour with clear guidelines on what is acceptable behaiviour on board an aircraft and at the airport.

The campaign #flightmode (#flymodus) was aimed at passengers to give awareness about bad behaviour and its concequences related to airtravel. It was displayed at airports, on commercial aircrafts and on social media during the summer of 2024.

— Read more about #flightmode here

Training

We enhance safe and practical conflict management training to calm heated situations and enforce a 'zero-tolerance' policy effectively and safely.

Substances

Clear rules and restrictions on alcohol consumption at airports and on board will be emphasized, as alcohol and other substances are among the significant factors contributing to unruly behaviour.

Collaboration

All industry stakeholders will work closely together to reduce the number of unruly incidents and develop and implement best practices and guidelines.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in Norwegian aviation's efforts against unruly passengers.

By addressing the problem through various measures and collaboration across the industry, Norway sets an example of how the aviation sector can work together to create a safer and more enjoyable travel experience.