FAA to Mandate Drunk Passenger Prevention Policies by 2027

The Federal Aviation Administration will require small commercial aircraft operators to implement formal policies and training aimed at preventing intoxicated passengers from boarding flights, under a new regulatory requirement that takes effect on May 28, 2027.

The rule applies to operators carrying paying passengers under Part 135 and certain Part 91 operations conducted with a Letter of Authorization. According to a recent notice issued by the FAA’s Flight Standards Service, these types of operations often seat passengers close to, or within direct reach of, flight controls, increasing the risk of interference if a passenger becomes impaired or disruptive.

The FAA warned that passengers who consume alcohol or drugs before boarding pose a heightened safety risk, particularly in smaller aircraft where cockpit separation is minimal or nonexistent. The notice cited historical aviation accidents in which intoxicated or impaired passengers were identified as contributing factors, either through direct interference with controls or by creating dangerous in-flight distractions.

“The safety risk for such an occurrence happening is greater if passengers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and have easy or direct access to the controls,” the agency said. The FAA added that impaired behavior can be unpredictable, ranging from unresponsiveness and confusion to aggressive or physically disruptive conduct, all of which can create unsafe flight conditions.

To address these risks, the FAA is requiring affected operators to expand their safety management systems to include specific procedures for identifying and managing impaired passengers. Central to the new requirement is pilot training, particularly for pilots in command, who will need to demonstrate the ability to recognize signs of intoxication or impairment before flight.

The mandated training will cover behavioral recognition techniques, observation skills, communication strategies, and intervention methods designed to prevent impaired passengers from boarding. Operators must also establish clear procedures for handling situations in which impairment is suspected, including denying boarding when necessary.

In addition to pre-flight screening measures, operators will be required to adopt policies to maintain a sober environment during operations. This includes defining acceptable passenger conduct, limiting alcohol-related risks, and ensuring that crew members understand how to respond to escalating situations.

The FAA also requires operators to maintain records of any impaired passenger incidents that occur despite preventative measures. These logs will form part of the operator’s safety management documentation and may be reviewed as part of regulatory oversight.

While intoxicated passenger policies have long been standard practice at major airlines, the FAA said the new rule reflects the unique risks present in small commercial aircraft operations. Unlike large transport-category aircraft, these flights often involve close proximity between pilots and passengers, making proactive prevention critical.

The agency said the goal of the new requirement is not enforcement for its own sake, but risk reduction through awareness, training, and standardized procedures. Operators have more than two years to update their safety management systems and training programs before the rule takes effect.

Industry observers say the change formalizes practices that many operators already follow, while setting a consistent safety baseline across small commercial aviation.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, avbrief.com