Travel
Delta Bans 1,600 Flyers, Wants Other Carriers To Do The Same
Delta Airlines is assuring its employees that their safety in the face of passenger rage is a priority.
ATLANTA — Delta Airlines has banned more than 1,600 unruly people from flying and wants other airlines to do the same.
Coordinated memos were sent out to Delta's in-flight and cargo teams following a number of recent incidents to remind employees that their safety is a priority, airline officials said.
“We now have more than 1,600 people on our ‘no fly’ list, and we’ve submitted more than 600 banned names to the FAA in 2021 as part of their Special Emphasis Enforcement Program,” Kristen Manion Taylor, senior vice president for Inflight Service, said in the memo.
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She said that singling out the hundreds of would-be passengers has no teeth if the Atlanta-based airline acts alone.
“We’ve also asked other airlines to share their ‘no fly’ list to further protect airline employees across the industry — something we know is top of mind for you as well,” Taylor said. “A list of banned customers doesn’t work as well if that customer can fly with another airline.”
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The move comes amid a flurry of incidents in which passengers have acted out, disrupting and often frightening fellow passengers and flight crews.
Memos from Taylor and Senior Vice President of Cargo Eric Phillips went out Thursday as the airline advocacy group Airlines for America attended a U.S. House on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on “Disruption in the Skies: The Surge in Air Rage and its Effects on Workers, Airlines, and Airports”on Delta's behalf.
Phillips referred to the hearing in his memo and said the airline will continue to evolve its policies to protect and support its employees.
“Delta’s participation in this hearing was through Airlines for America (A4A) where we are urging stronger actions from federal agencies and authorities,” he said. “Working with leaders across Delta, federal authorities, and other airlines, we will continue to engage and take action. Please know that above all — we have your back.”
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