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6. Conclusion

The actions of unruly passengers on board aircraft can have serious consequences for aviation safety, especially when these actions interfere with good order and diminish the capability of crew members to carry out their duties. While there is currently little data to indicate with precision the frequency and characteristics of incidents occurring in Canada, the abundance of anecdotal information supports the need for coordinated action to be taken to manage this aviation safety issue.

The Working Group concludes that a national strategy to prevent interference with crew members and to address the broader matter of unruly passenger behaviour is needed. The strategy should be built around:

  • recommended amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canadian Aviation Regulations;
  • training of personnel in the prevention, management and post-flight aspects of interference with crew members and unruly passenger incidents;
  • promoting zero tolerance for interference with crew members through Transport Canada’s public awareness campaign and other vehicles; and
  • centralized tracking and analysis of incident frequency and characteristics.

In addition, the Working Group finds that interference with crew members can legitimately constitute a violence in the workplace issue. The Working Group, therefore, supports the development of violence in the workplace regulations and their application to workplaces at airports and on board aircraft.

Finally, the Working Group believes that interference with crew members is a concern that will remain on the aviation safety public policy agenda for some time to come. The CASO Technical Committee is encouraged to monitor action taken to implement the recommendations contained in this report and their effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the Working Group.

 
Date modified:
2010-05-03