Violence on-board Dutch aircraft a growing problem

Dutch aircraft crews are having to deal with an increasing number of violent incidents on board. There are an average of four such incidents per day. The number reported so far this year is already almost equal to the total number for 2011.

Ton Scherrenberg of the union representing cabin crew told Dutch broadcaster NOS that action needed to be taken urgently. He believes ground personnel at Schiphol airport should warn air crews if a passenger displays aggressive behaviour and such passengers should not be allowed to board.

He said cabin crews are well trained in dealing with aggression, but troublesome passengers take up so much of staff’s time that service for other people on board suffers.

There were 1,600 incidents reported in 2011, ten percent more than in 2010. They ranged from verbal abuse to physical violence.