AGAINST THE background of an increase in incidents of unruly passenger behaviour on aircraft registered in Jamaica, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced a new campaign to bring the offenders to book.
The CAA, the agency responsible for regulating the aviation industry, warned on Wednesday, that effective April 1 passengers who breach the Civil Aviation (Air Navigation) Regulations, will face newly-revised penalties ranging from $20,000 to $100,000.
The fine now on the books is $5,000.
AMBIT OF LAW
The new campaign covers all airlines flying in and out of Jamaica's gateways, but the incident must have occurred while in Jamaica's airspace to allow for local prosecution.
The CAA said it is collaborating with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), the national airline, Air Jamaica, the airport police and other relevant authorities to ensure that the law is consistently enforced.
"A passenger who behaves in a disruptive manner will be given an oral and written warning," the CAA said in a statement to The Gleaner.
"If the disruptive behaviour continues, an 'Unruly Passenger Incident' form will be completed by an airline representative and will be used to initiate prosecution by the police on arrival (of the flight)."
J.M.
