Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is calling on governments to ratify important changes to the Tokyo Convention 1963 which were agreed at a diplomatic conference in Montreal last week. The Tokyo Convention provides the legal framework for dealing with passengers whose unruly or disruptive behavior leads to physical assault or poses a threat to the safety of a flight.

“This agreement is good news for everybody who flies—passengers and crew alike. The changes, along with the measures already being taken by airlines, will provide an effective deterrent for unacceptable behavior on board aircraft. But governments must now follow-up on the success of the diplomatic conference and ratify the new protocol. With some 300 incidents of unruly behavior being reported each week, we urge governments to move quickly,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.