France introduces €20,000 fines and flight bans for unruly airline passengers
November 20, 2025
France has introduced a new regulatory framework allowing authorities to impose fines of up to €20,000 and impose multi-year flight bans on airline passengers who engage in disruptive or unsafe behaviour.
The measures, which took effect on 8 November under Decree 2025-1063, represent one of the country’s most stringent responses to the rise in unruly passenger incidents.
Huge fines for unruly passengers in France
Under the rules, the French minister for civil aviation is empowered to issue administrative penalties of up to €10,000 for a first offence, rising to €20,000 in cases of repeat misconduct.
The legislation applies to disruptive behaviour aboard aircraft operating in French airspace, including failure to follow crew safety instructions, interfering with cabin crew duties, or using prohibited electronic devices during critical phases of flight.
In more serious cases, the authorities can issue a boarding ban of up to four years. France will also establish a central database managed by the French Civil Aviation Authority, enabling carriers to file reports on passengers deemed to have displayed “harmful behaviour”.
Airlines will be able to consult the system to determine whether an individual is temporarily barred from travel.
“The safety of passengers and crew is our absolute priority,” Minister of Transport Philippe Tabarot was quoted as saying.
“Disruptive behaviour on board aircraft is unacceptable. It jeopardises flight safety and compromises the working conditions of flight crews.
“This new regulatory framework sends a strong message: disruptive behaviour will no longer be tolerated and will be subject to effective administrative sanctions.”
The rule also applies in New Caledonia, French Polynesia and the Wallis and Futuna Islands.
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Wider industry concern over unruly passengers
The French measures come amid mounting concern across the aviation sector about the frequency and severity of onboard disturbances.
The latest IATA figures show an increase in the rate of reported unruly passenger incidents.
Based on 53,538 incident reports from over 60 operators globally, there was one incident for every 395 flights in 2024 versus one incident for every 405 flights in 2023.
Non-compliance with crew instructions was listed as the most frequent cause of disruption.
However, the number of reports mentioning verbal and physically abusive behaviours also increased in 2024.
A Spirit Airlines flight departing from Nashville was delayed when a disruptive passenger identified as Yaren argued with staff and refused to follow instructions. Police boarded the plane and forcibly removed her before takeoff. pic.twitter.com/Gzw1z6ZFIJ
— aka (@akafaceUS) November 19, 2025
A number of other states have tightened enforcement in response.
The United States has adopted a “zero-tolerance” approach since 2021, empowering the Federal Aviation Administration to issue civil penalties exceeding $35,000 per violation and refer the most serious cases for criminal prosecution.
Airlines are also able to ban passengers through internal “no-fly” lists, which, while not shared federally, collectively cover thousands of individuals.
It’s not your imagination. Traveling has become more uncivilized!
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 19, 2025
The Facts:
❌ 400% increase in outbursts on planes since 2019
❌ 1 in 5 flight attendants report experiencing physical incidents
❌ Unruly passenger events DOUBLED since 2019
But it doesn’t have to be this… pic.twitter.com/IS8HAemVQc
In Australia, a disruptive passenger was recently ordered to pay AUD$8,630 to cover the cost of fuel after the flight he was on was forced to divert due to his behaviour.
Several European states, including Ireland and the Netherlands, have reinforced enforcement through enhanced police presence at airports and quicker referral processes for in-flight incidents.
Irish authorities tackle bad behaviour
The Irish Aviation Authority, along with industry stakeholders, has signed up to a declaration to combat unruly passenger behaviour in airports and on flights as part of the #NotOnMyFlight campaign.
The declaration sets out an action plan for the Irish aviation industry to reduce the incidence of unruly passenger behaviour in airports and onboard aircraft.
Ryanair last week welcomed a decision by the Dublin District Court to convict an unruly passenger who disrupted flight FR7122 from Dublin to Tenerife on 24 September 2022 by physically assaulting another passenger onboard.
The disruptive passenger pleaded guilty and received a 3-month suspended sentence.
Ryanair’s Director of Communications, Jade Kirwan, said: “This demonstrates just one of the many consequences (including travel bans and offload fines) that passengers who disrupt flights will face as part of Ryanair’s zero tolerance policy.
“We hope this conviction will further deter disruptive behaviour on flights so that both passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment.”
Featured image: hanohiki | Adobe Stock
