As airline passengers continue to exhibit poor behavior, the Federal Aviation Administration is referring more incidents to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FAA said Wednesday that it referred 43 unruly passenger cases to the FBI for criminal prosecution over the last year.

“Dangerous passengers put everyone at risk,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “Unruly travelers face stiff fines from the FAA and possible criminal prosecution too.”

Incidents recently referred to the FBI include passengers trying to breach an airplane’s flight deck, people physically assaulting other passengers, passengers inappropriately touching minors and people exhibiting sexually inappropriate behavior toward flight workers and fellow travelers. 

The bad behavior list also includes a passenger throwing a backpack at a flight attendant, another passenger attempting to trip a flight attendant and someone who tried to open a plane’s exit doors midflight.

The FAA said the rate of incidents involving unruly passengers has dropped more than 80% since reaching record highs in early 2021 but continues to be unacceptable. 

In 2024, airlines have reported more than 1,240 unruly passenger cases. 

Passengers who assault, threaten, intimidate or interfere with airline crew can face civil penalties of up to $37,000 per violation.