A disruptive JetBlue passenger faces a possible $ 14,500 fine for refusing to wear a mask and interfering with the crew’s duties on a December flight.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) formally proposed the fine on Friday, according to a press release issued by the agency.
The passenger, who was not identified, was among those flying from the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to the Dominican Republic on Dec. 23, according to the FAA. After being on the plane, he apparently refused to comply with JetBlue’s face covering policy, while also pushing the passenger next to him and speaking loudly. He also refused to stop drinking an alcoholic beverage he brought on the plane.
AIRLINE PASSENGER FACES FACE BACK TO CAUSE CHANGE: ‘HOPE YOU WILL EAT THROUGH AN ALLIGATOR’
The flight crew warned him several times that he was violating JetBlue safety policy as well as FAA regulations, and even notified the captain of the plane twice. As he continued to ignore the warnings, the plane headed back to New York.
“As a result of the passenger’s actions, the captain declared an emergency and returned to JFK, where the plane landed 4,000 pounds overweight due to the amount of fuel on board,” the FAA noted in the release.
He now faces a proposed civil fine of $ 14,500. The passenger was also given 30 days from March 12 to respond to the FAA’s notice.
The passenger, who was not identified, was among those flying from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to the Dominican Republic on Dec. 23.
(iStock)
Friday’s FAA announcement is his second proposal against a disruptive traveler in just as many weeks. In late February, the agency filed a $ 27,500 fine against a Delta traveler who allegedly assaulted an air hostess after refusing to wear a mask on an October flight.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE NEWS OF VOSLIFSTYL
Currently, the FAA is also imposing stricter fines for rioting passengers following a “disturbing increase” in such incidents amid the coronavirus pandemic, and in part due to travelers refusing airlines and government mandates to wear masks while flying.
“We will no longer judge some of these unintended passenger cases with counseling or warnings,” FAA chief Steve Dickson said after announcing the order in January. “We’re going straight to enforcement.”
Under the order, which runs until at least March 30, disruptive passengers could face fines of up to $ 35,000 and possible jail time.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Jeanette Settembre contributed to this report.