A bill filed in Chile's Senate proposes fines of 10 to 100 UTM for disruptive passengers who disturb order at airports or on planes, and 50 to 500 UTM, plus prison and a ban on boarding commercial flights for one to five years, when they endanger flight safety. The motion was filed by senators Alfonso De Urresti, Danisa Astudillo, Daniella Cicardini, Juan Luis Castro and Gastón Saavedra, and entered the Senate on 19 August 2026, according to Ladevi.
The bill is currently in its first constitutional reading. With the October 2026 UTM (Chile's monthly tax unit) at CLP$72,151, according to the Internal Revenue Service, fines would range from about CLP$721,000 (10 UTM) to more than CLP$36 million (500 UTM).
What the disruptive passengers bill proposes
The motion amends the Aeronautical Code and separates two types of behaviour. The first is the disturbing passenger: anyone who "disturbs the peace or the normal running of airport services or the flight" without directly compromising operational safety. The second covers behaviour that does put aviation safety at risk.
| Type of behaviour | Examples | Proposed penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Disturbing passenger | Disturbing order at the airport or on board without endangering the flight | Fine of 10 to 100 UTM (about CLP$721,000 to CLP$7.2 million) |
| Disturbing passenger with aggravating factors | Alcohol or drug use, minor threats or verbal abuse of staff | Fine in the upper half of the range (55 to 100 UTM) |
| Risk to aviation safety | Disobeying the crew, violence or intimidation, damaging infrastructure, false bomb or emergency alarms | Prison and a fine of 50 to 500 UTM |
| Flying ban | For behaviour that endangers safety | A court may ban boarding commercial flights and entering airports for 1 to 5 years |
| Aggravating consequences | If it forces a diversion, causes a substantial delay or an emergency landing | Penalties and fines at their maximum level |
Source: motion by senators De Urresti, Astudillo, Cicardini, Castro and Saavedra, according to Ladevi (19 Oct 2026) and Diario Constitucional (12 Oct 2026). The text may change during its passage through Congress.
How many disruptive passenger cases there are in Chile
| Indicator | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cases in the first quarter of 2026 | More than 70 | Background to the bill, according to Ladevi |
| Rise in serious incidents in 2025 | +120% | LATAM, cited in the bill |
| Serious incidents in 2025 | About 280 | LATAM, according to Diario Constitucional |
The authors argue that current law leaves airlines with few tools: in practice, a passenger who assaults the crew is usually taken off the plane and goes on their way. The problem is not only Chilean: Colombia is debating its own disruptive passengers law, with fines and temporary exclusion from air travel.
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See advertising optionsWhere the bill stands
| Stage | Status |
|---|---|
| Entry into the Senate | 19 August 2026, as a parliamentary motion |
| First constitutional reading | Under way; it must go through committee and the Senate floor |
| Second reading | Chamber of Deputies, pending |
| Government urgency | Not reported |
Source: Ladevi, 19 October 2026. We did not find the bill number in the sources consulted; it can be tracked officially with the bill search on the Senate website. It is a different bill from the one requiring airlines to report passengers' identity, which has already been passed.
What changes for passengers if the disruptive passengers bill passes
- Crew instructions would be binding by law: deliberately disobeying them would become a punishable offence.
- Alcohol would increase the fine: drinking too much before the flight could double the penalty.
- A false alarm would carry prison: jokes about bombs or emergencies would fall into the most serious category.
- You could lose the right to fly: for up to five years on commercial flights within Chile.
- Nothing changes yet: until it becomes law, the current rules of the Aeronautical Code apply. If the topic interests you, our story on the lightning strike on a LATAM plane explains other on-board protocols.
Frequently asked questions
Is the fine for disruptive passengers already law?
No. It is a bill that entered the Senate on 19 August 2026 and is in its first constitutional reading.
What is the maximum fine proposed?
500 UTM, for behaviour that endangers flight safety. For a disturbing passenger, the maximum is 100 UTM.
Who decides on a flying ban?
A court, in the most serious cases. The ban would last one to five years and would include entering the country's airports.
