In 2019, a number of Irish aviation organisations, including airlines and airports proactively agreed to the Joint Declaration on Unruly Passenger Behaviour. In this declaration, they agreed to collaborate by effectively communicating with passengers, supporting employees, recognising alcohol’s role in unruly behaviour and monitoring progress at periodic intervals.
The past couple of years have seen an increase in group disruption; for example, instances of full aircraft not cooperating and flights being cancelled, with the IAA reporting and increase of unruly air passengers up by 226% in 2024. This trend appears to be continuing, and it is in our collective interest to strengthen our commitment to mitigate this problem.
In 2023, the Irish Aviation Industry, An Garda Síochána and international partners, EASA and IATA came together to re-affirm their commitment to this declaration, and committed the signatories to:
- Ongoing communications with passengers
- Robust and consistent support to employees
- Minimise the occurrence of excessive alcohol consumption
- Collaboration amongst signatories
Since then, Fórsa and IALPA have joined the group. SIPTU were invited to join this group in July 2025 and in October 2025 we became signatories to the Joint Declaration on Unruly Passenger Behaviour. 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. The signatories meet regularly and engage on the topic, working together to prevent disruption and enhance enforcement.
Signing the Joint Declaration on Unruly Passenger Behaviour from L to R: Niall Phillips (SIPTU Aviation Sector Organiser), Debbie Clarke (SIPTU Aviation Sector Committee President), and Declan Fitzpatrick (CEO Irish Aviation Authority).