Federal aviation authorities said they have referred more than 250 unruly passengers to the FBI to pursue possible criminal prosecution.
These cases were referred since late 2021, with the most recent last month.
That incident involved a man who allegedly tried to stab a cabin crew member with a spoon.
The FAA referred 17 people in the first quarter of this year.
However, the rate of referrals has slowed, notably since the end of the requirement to wear masks.
Prior to this about two thirds of all unruly passenger incidents were sparked by a refusal to wear a mask.
Th FAA has imposed many civil fines for bad behavior but must refer more serious cases to the Feds for criminal action.
