Airline union leaders called on lawmakers to support nationwide federal no-fly list for unruly passengers.
Speaking at a House Homeland Security subcommittee on transportation hearing, more measures are needed to reduce a surge in disruptive passenger incidents and protect cabin crews.
"If there is not a no-fly list … people are going to continue to assault plane crews and gate agents," said Transport Workers Union of America president John Samuelsen.
More than 5,000 incidents of unruly behavior have been reported this year, which is many ties the annual average.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said a federal no fly list should be discussed.
Thousands of passengers have been banned but only by individual airlines.
The only federal no-fly list is for people classed as terror threats.
"There can be an additional tier of advising and flagging for potential problem passengers where one airline has conducted an internal investigation and determined that they are going to ban that traveler from that particular airline," Flight attendant union president Sara Nelson said.
