Boston Logan Airport, FAA Warn Of Jail Time For Unruly Passengers

BOSTON— Boston Logan airport is serious about new regulations issued this week from the Federal Aviation Administration: Any passenger who disrupts a flight with threatening, intimidating or violent behavior could face a penalty from the FAA of up to $35,000 and possible imprisonment, the airport tweeted Sunday.

"We have zero tolerance for threatening or violent behavior," FAA administrator Steve Dickson, said in a video.

The FAA issued an order Jan. 13 that applies to disruptive passengers, but also to those who refuse to wear masks, which airlines require because of the pandemic. The new directive will be in place through the end of March.

The more strict rules comes as law enforcement is on high alert after the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump extremists. Five people died in the riot.

Following the storming of the U.S. Capitol, FBI warned of armed protests at all 50 state capitols in the days leading up to the inauguration and after. An internal memo to law enforcement officials across the country warned of a possible uprising by an armed group planning to travel to Washington on Inauguration Day and protest efforts to remove the president from office.

That prompted Gov. Charlie Baker to send some 500 Massachusetts National Guards Troops to help protect the security surrounding the inauguration.