No, they’re not stopping hand baggage on board, rather Australian carriers Qantas, Jetstar, Rex and Virgin Australia along with Australian airports, and the Australian Federal Police are launching a joint campaign to stop disruptive behaviour ‘carry on’ at airports and on flights.

The campaign, ‘No More Carry On’, calls for patience and preparedness as travellers, airline crew and airport teams navigate a return to widespread flying while managing COVID-19 related travel requirements as a result of COVID-19.

The campaign follows an increase in disruptive and abusive behaviour towards airline crew, airport teams and other passengers during the pandemic, with hundreds of incidents reported across the airlines in 2021, many triggered by refusal to follow mask requirements. In extreme cases, crew have been threatened and physically assaulted by passengers.

The new awareness campaign plays on the concept that while carry-on luggage is welcome, disruptive or abusive ‘carry-on behaviour’ will not be tolerated. Airports in capital cities and regional centres around the country will display digital billboards throughout terminals and a powerful video message from airline crew will be shared on social channels.

Qantas, Jetstar, Rex and Virgin Australia have also signed up to a voluntary Code of Practice on Passenger Behaviour, which ensures a consistent approach across aviation in Australia.

Key elements of the Code of Practice include:

• Refusing to allow a customer to board, where necessary, to protect fellow passengers and crew from offensive or disruptive behaviour.

• Holding passengers who are offensive or disruptive accountable for their behaviour, including recouping costs for diversions and damage to the aircraft and imposing bans on future travel.

• Airlines and airports proactively engaging with law enforcement and CASA to support any administrative or criminal sanctions against a passenger found to have engaged in offensive or disruptive conduct.

All airlines and airports train their employees in how to handle disruptive passengers, with a focus on de-escalation where possible. In serious cases, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) will be called to deal with the unruly passenger.