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FAA has received 2,500 reports of unruly, dangerous passengers so far in 2021. The majority were over masks

As travelers prepare for Memorial Day trips, the FAA is reminding the public about its zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers.

DALLAS — Airline traffic is expected to be busy as Memorial Day weekend approaches, and there's one thing all passengers should know: masks are required.

For many, the start of the summer travel season means a return to a sense of normalcy.

“Oh, I’m looking forward to it. I want to see everybody back on the airplanes again,” said Barry Samacki, as he waited to travel from Dallas to Denver.

RELATED: Airport passenger levels take off as TSA works to boost workforce by thousands

Passengers are already getting a head start, flying out of Dallas Love Field and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

“System wide, American Airlines will be operating about 22,000 flights. About 3,200 of those are coming out of DFW,” explained Jim Moses, vice president of DFW Hub Operations for American Airlines.

With the unofficial start of the summer travel period, federal officials are sending a strong warning about problematic passengers. 

This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration is announcing it received about 2,500 reports of unruly and dangerous behavior by passengers since January 2021. Roughly 1,900 of those reports involve passengers refusing to wear masks.

“The airports and on airplanes we still are bound by the federal mandate that requires customers to wear masks or face coverings,” Moses reminded the public as they prepare for travel.

The FAA announced a zero-tolerance policy for unruly and dangerous behavior.

On Sunday, a passenger allegedly assaulted a flight attendant, knocking out two of her teeth, on a Southwest Airlines flight from Sacramento to San Diego.

RELATED: Southwest flight attendant lost 2 teeth in passenger assault, union says

In a statement, Southwest Airlines said it does “not condone or tolerate verbal or physical abuse of our Flight Crews.”

The FAA is also proposing fines ranging from $9,000 to $15,000 against five other passengers. Each allegedly interfered with flight attendants on different airlines, officials say.

As a reminder, the U.S. Department of Transportation says masks are required in airports and on planes through September 13, 2021.

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