France has enacted Decree No. 2025‑1063, introducing stricter penalties for disruptive behaviour on board aircraft.
The regulation, effective from 8 November, empowers the French Civil Aviation Authority to impose fines of up to €20,000 and boarding bans of up to four years for antisocial conduct in French airspace.
What the Decree Covers
Offences include:
- Using electronic devices when prohibited by crew.
- Obstructing safety duties of flight crew.
- Refusing to comply with safety instructions.
Repeat offenders face the highest fines, while serious cases may result in multi‑year bans from boarding flights. A new database will allow French airlines to report “harmful behaviour,” ensuring consistent enforcement across carriers.
Industry Context
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), disruptive passenger incidents are expected to occur once every 395 flights by 2024, with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) reporting 200–500 incidents per month across Europe.
Philippe Tabarot, France’s Minister of Transport, said: “Disruptive behaviour on board aircraft is unacceptable. It jeopardises flight safety and compromises the working conditions of flight crews. This new framework sends a strong message: disruptive behaviour will no longer be tolerated.”
Implications for Business Travellers
For corporate travellers, the decree underscores the importance of compliance with crew instructions and responsible inflight conduct. With airlines now empowered to enforce bans and fines swiftly, even minor infractions such as failing to switch devices to airplane mode could carry significant consequences.