Air passengers who behave disruptively on flights within French airspace now face severe financial and travel consequences under a tough new ruling.
Hefty Fines and Flight Bans Introduced
Effective from 8 November 2025, Decree No. 2025-1063 empowers the French Minister for Civil Aviation to issue administrative fines of up to €10,000 (approximately £8,810) for a first offence. For repeat offenders, the penalty doubles to a staggering €20,000 (around £17,600).
In the most serious cases, individuals can also be hit with a boarding ban preventing them from flying for up to four years.
What Constitutes an Offence?
The government statement clearly outlines the behaviours that will trigger these penalties. Listed offences include:
- Using an electronic device when its use has been prohibited by the flight crew.
- Obstructing the flight crew from performing their safety duties.
- Refusing to comply with safety instructions issued by the crew.
These measures target actions that directly compromise the security of everyone on board.
A Strong Message for Safety
French Transport Minister, Philippe Tabarot, stated that the safety of passengers and crew is the “absolute priority.” He condemned disruptive behaviour on aircraft as “unacceptable,” noting that it jeopardises flight safety and crew working conditions.
He described the new framework as offering “swift, fair and proportionate enforcement,” adding that it “sends a strong message: disruptive behaviour will no longer be tolerated.”
To support this crackdown, a dedicated database managed by the French Civil Aviation Authority will be established. This will allow French air carriers to report incidents of “harmful behaviour” effectively.
The move comes as unruly passenger behaviour is recognised as a growing global threat. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), an incident is expected to occur every 395 flights by 2024. In Europe, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) reports between 200 and 500 incidents per month.
Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent at The Independent, commented: “A €10,000 fine for forgetting to switch your phone to airplane mode looks a touch severe, but as a deterrent for obnoxious and dangerous behaviour on board, this penalty is just what is needed.” He noted that such acts often go unpunished despite distressing other travellers and jeopardising safety.
