Qatar has become the latest country to ratify the Montreal Protocol of 2014 (MP14), according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statement, IATA described that MP14, properly named the Protocol to Amend the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft, is a global agreement that strengthens the powers of States to prosecute unruly passengers.

The agreement “closes a legal gap under the Tokyo Convention 1963, whereby jurisdiction over offenses committed on board international flights rests with the State where the aircraft is registered,” the statement reads.

Qatar has become the 23^rd country in the world and 6^th in Africa and the Middle East region to ratify the agreement.

"By ratifying the protocol, Qatar has proved its commitment towards aviation safety despite the turbulent time that the world and the industry are going through due to COVID-19," IATA stated.

Congratulations to the State of #Qatar for becoming the latest country to ratify #MP14, ensuring we have a stronger international deterrent against unruly passenger incidents. @qatarairways @CAAQATAR https://t.co/pMYfBHyKSs pic.twitter.com/NZISsqCouj

— IATA (@IATA) August 18, 2020

The country has become part of a growing list of States from the Middle East that has ratified the agreement, including Jordan, Kuwait among others.

"Hopefully, this will incentivize countries in the region and globally to follow suit,” IATA said.

The IATA statement explained that unruly and disruptive passenger incidents onboard flights include physical assault, harassment, smoking, or failing to follow crew instructions.

Such incidents may compromise flight safety, result in significant delays and disrupt operations or adversely impact the travel experience and work environment for passengers and crew.

“The COVID-19 situation is expected to bring additional challenges for airlines and crew such as risk of new types of unruly behavior, which includes failing to follow instructions related to COVID-19 measures (for example, wearing of face masks) due to the increased stress imposed on passengers through new processes and their overall travel experience,” IATA said.

The Association added that in addition to strengthening jurisdiction and enforcement, it is working together with airlines on a series of measures to help prevent such incidents and manage them more effectively if they do happen.

“These include enhanced crew training and raising awareness with passengers of the potential consequences of unruly behavior on board,” IATA said.

IATA also said it encourages countries “to review the effectiveness of the enforcement mechanisms available to them in line with ICAO Guidance on Legal Aspects of Unruly and Disruptive Passengers (ICAO Document 10117), which gives information on how civil and administrative fines and penalties can be used to supplement criminal prosecutions.”

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Source: IATA