Exploring Airport Crime and Travel Risks: Trends & Data

Reading Time: 5 mins 

Key Takeaways

• Winter Air Travel Trends: The winter season highlights increased airport crimes and passenger misbehavior post-COVID-19. 
• Unruly Passenger Incidents: Although incidents peaked in 2021, reports of unruly behavior remain above pre-pandemic levels. 
• Firearm Confiscations: TSA reports 6,678 firearms confiscated in 2024, showcasing ongoing security challenges. 
• Auto Theft Risks: High-risk neighborhoods near airports experience increased auto theft and catalytic converter theft. 
• Safety Insight Tools: Use tools like the Pinkerton Crime Index to assess and manage airport risk exposure. 

As the winter season forges ahead, air travel remains bustling, keeping airports lively and crowded. Beyond the typical stressors of travel, this constant influx of passengers creates opportunities for both criminal activity and stress-induced misbehavior, concerns that have grown in prominence in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.  

What’s Trending in Unruly Passenger Behavior? 

In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tracks reports of unruly passengers on flights — and the data below shows a definitive peak in 2021. While incidents have receded in subsequent years, reporting of incidents remains higher than in the pre-pandemic period. 

Fines against inappropriate passenger behavior also surged in response to the number of incidents and have shown potential efficacy in curbing incidents. In 2025, the FAA levied USD $2.2 million in fines against unruly passengers.  

Guns, Gates, and Guards: How Many Firearms are Confiscated at Airports?

According to the data collected and published by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), 6,678 firearms were confiscated in 2024, a minor decrease from 6,737 confiscated in 2023. Both years averaged over 18 firearms confiscated per day. In 2024, 94% of confiscated firearms were loaded. The Gun Violence Data Hub maintains a dataset on firearms detected at TSA security checkpoints at airports throughout the nation. The plot below shows annual detections since 2020. 

Unlike the storyline of unruly flight behavior, data on gun detections show the post-pandemic era has seen a drastic increase in the number of people bringing guns to the airport that has not receded. The table below shows the 10 Airports with the highest average gun detections per year. 

Auto Theft in the Borderlands 

Many major airports exist in — or border — elevated-risk neighborhoods. Driving this elevated risk is the sheer volume of people passing through these airports. According to the FAA, there are 45,000 flights and 2.9 million passengers daily, with these numbers surpassed on busy travel days. These high volumes, in addition to maintaining the day-to-day operations and security of air travel, can strain capable guardianship, leaving vulnerabilities, particularly surrounding automobiles parked in long-term lots. In this vein, airport parking lots across many major metros show increased rates of auto theft and catalytic converter theft. 

Coinciding with national spikes in auto theft, recent years have seen increased concerns and surges in auto thefts at many major airports across the country, including Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, Denver International Airport, Las Vegas’ Harry Reid Airport, Los Angeles’ LAX, and the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. 

To further highlight the gravity of this issue, consider a recent high-profile case: In January of 2025, police reported snaring an organized auto theft ring involving 14 people that had stolen 52 cars, worth almost USD $5 million, from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in 2023 and 2024. 

A concerning pattern emerges from the Denver Police dashboard, which highlights that numerous top sites for serial auto thefts are long-term parking lots or located just miles from the airport. When assessing auto thefts by neighborhood, incidents near Denver International Airport (DIA) significantly outnumber those in all other areas. 

In 2023, DIA was associated with more than 1,700 auto thefts. Counts have reduced in 2024 and 2025 — as of mid-December 2025, they have reported 350 thefts. Though 2025’s numbers reflect a significant improvement, DIA’s reported auto-thefts remain elevated over other theft-prone neighborhoods. 

Similarly, addresses associated with DIA dominate reports of catalytic converter thefts. In 2023, the DIA neighborhood was associated with 48% of Catalytic converter thefts citywide. 

Understanding and Managing Your Airport Risk Exposure 

As we navigate the winter travel season, awareness and preparedness are key to ensuring safer journeys. By staying informed and vigilant, you can help mitigate risks and enjoy smoother travel experiences. 

Leverage the power of the Pinkerton Crime Index to better understand your risk exposure at airports, nearby lodging, and parking areas, whether mid-term or long-term. This valuable tool not only provides meaningful insights into unfamiliar areas but also enriches your understanding of the risks within your own community, helping you to make informed safety decisions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Have unruly passenger behaviors changed since the pandemic?

While incidents peaked in 2021, the rate of unruly passengers remains above pre-pandemic levels.

2. How many firearms are typically confiscated at airports?

In 2024, TSA intercepted 6,678 firearms, with a large percentage of them being loaded.

3. Why are auto thefts common around airports?

Major airports near high-risk neighborhoods face high crime rates, largely due to sheer passenger volume, which strains security resources.

4. What cities have the highest rates of gun seizures at airports?

Cities like Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston lead in average gun detections at airports.

5. How can travelers assess safety risks at airports?

Using the Pinkerton Crime Index provides crucial insights into crime exposure around airports and adjacent areas.