Safer skies also come from those who travel in them. It is with this belief that France decided to drastically tighten restrictions rules against naughty passengers. The new decree, published on November 8 in the Official Journal, imposes fines that can reach 20,000 euros and even bans from flying for several years for those who endanger flight safety. The tough measures were necessary, authorities explained, given the increasing number of incidents reported across Europe, where hundreds of problematic behavior are recorded on planes every month.
French crackdown on unruly passengers
France has launched a real offensive against inappropriate behavior on board aircraft. With the implementation of this new decision, passengers who do not respect it safety rules they risk a fine of up to 20,000 euros and, in the most serious cases, a ban on boarding for a period of up to four years. According to French authorities, this measure is a response to a growing phenomenon: in Europe, between 200 and 500 monthly episodes related to problematic passenger behavior are recorded.
The most serious violations and the new sanctions regime
Financial penalties start at 10,000 euros for the first violation and reach 20,000 in case of repeat violations. The fines apply to the use of prohibited electronic devices during a flight, interference with work procedures or crew safety, and refusal to comply with instructions given on board the aircraft. That decree it also introduced a national database that allows French-licensed companies to report problem passengers. All this is in addition to the rules already set out in the criminal code, which can result in sentences of up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros in the most serious cases.
French government position: “Security is non-negotiable”
Minister of Transportation Philippe Tabarot reiterated the importance of safety in aviation as an absolute priority. He underscored how disruptive behavior is a real risk: disrupting crew work and endangering flight management. According to Tabarot, the new decision is a success a faster and more effective tool to intervene and send a clear message: this kind of behavior will no longer be tolerated.
The case of Ryanair, when “zero tolerance” became a reality
French presses are a part of the European climate that is receiving increasing attention antisocial behavior in space. A symbolic case occurred in early 2024, when Ryanair took legal action against a passenger believed to be responsible for diverting a flight between Dublin and Lanzarote, which was forced to land in Porto. The events of April 9 caused delays, additional assistance costs and hotel nights for 160 passengers.
The company asked 15 thousand euros as compensationmaintained the passengers’ anonymity and called the behavior “inexcusable.” Ryanair has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards those who endanger safety, saying it will continue to take legal action in similar cases.
