![]()
The Department of Transportation and FAA are increasing the fines imposed for violating aviation regulations. The DOT made its annual adjustments to its civil penalty amounts, resulting in a three percent increase.
The price changes are mandated under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustments Act Improvements Act of 2015 and require government agencies to annually adjust civil penalties to preserve the effectiveness of the deterrent impact of such penalties. The price increases are a result of multiplying the penalty amount by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers from October 2022 to October 2023. This resulted in a roughly three percent increase for the period.
Changes include:FAA hazardous materials rules violations will result in a penalty of $99,756 per violation. Penalties for violations resulting in death, serious illness, severe injury or substantial property destruction could be as high as $232,762 per violation.
Civil penalties for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft of at the flight path of an aircraft is $31,819.
Civil penalties for anyone knowingly or recklessly operating unmanned aircraft that interferes with law enforcement, emergency response or wildfire repression is $25,455.
Assaulting or threatening assault of a crewmember or other individual on an aircraft, or an action that poses an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or those on board will result in a $43,658 penalty.
The new ruling will not impact any previously assessed or enforced penalties.
"Civil penalties are adjusted annually so these increases are expected, but it is important for those in the aviation industry to be aware of potential fines for violations in 2024," said Doug Carr, NBAA senior vice president of safety, security, sustainability and international affairs. "The recently published fines serve as a guide to the FAA in its enforcement of regulatory violations."