A passenger who gets in the way of JetBlue faces a possible $ 14,500 fine for refusing to wear a mask and interfering with the crew’s duties on a flight in December.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) formally proposed the fine on Friday, according to a statement released by the agency.
The passenger, who was not identified, was among those who traveled on December 23 from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to the Dominican Republic, according to the FAA. Once on the plane, he refused to comply with JetBlue’s facial coverage policy, while crowding the passenger next to him and speaking loudly. He also refused to stop drinking an alcoholic drink he had brought on the plane.
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The flight crew warned him several times that he was violating JetBlue’s safety policies as well as FAA regulations, even notifying the aircraft’s captain twice. When he continued to ignore the warnings, the plane was diverted back to New York.
“As a result of the passenger’s actions, the commander declared emergency and returned to JFK, where the plane landed 4,000 pounds overweight due to the amount of fuel on board,” noted the FAA in the statement.
He now faces a proposed $ 14,500 civil penalty. The passenger also had 30 days from March 12 to respond to the FAA’s notice.
The passenger, who was not identified, was among those who traveled on December 23 from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to the Dominican Republic.
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The FAA’s announcement on Friday marks its second proposal against a disruptive traveler in just a few weeks. In late February, the agency proposed a $ 27,500 fine against a Delta traveler who allegedly assaulted a flight attendant after refusing to wear a mask on an October flight.
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Currently, the FAA is also imposing stricter penalties for unruly passengers after a “disturbing increase” in such incidents amid the coronavirus pandemic, and in part due to the refusal of travelers and government orders to wear a mask during the flight.
“We will no longer try some of these undisciplined passenger cases with advice or warnings,” said FAA chief Steve Dickson, after announcing the request in January. “Let’s go straight to the execution.”
According to the order, which runs until at least March 30, disruptive passengers could face fines of up to $ 35,000 and possible jail time.
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Jeanette Settembre contributed to this report.