---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 46314"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "46314"
heading: "Entering aircraft or airport area in violation of security requirements"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/46314"
units:
  - "Subtitle VII — Aviation Programs"
  - "Part A — Air Commerce and Safety"
  - "Subpart iv — enforcement and penalties"
  - "Chapter 463 — Penalties"
---

# §46314. Entering aircraft or airport area in violation of security requirements

- (a) **Prohibition.—** A person may not knowingly and willfully enter, in violation of security requirements prescribed under section [44901](/usc/49/44901.md), [44903(b)](/usc/49/44903.md?p=b) or (c), or [44906](/usc/49/44906.md) of this title, an [aircraft](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-6) or an [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) area that serves an [air carrier](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-2) or [foreign air carrier](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-21).
- (b) **Criminal Penalty.—**
  - (1) A person violating [subsection (a)](#a) of this section shall be fined under [title 18](/usc/18.md), imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
  - (2) A person violating [subsection (a)](#a) of this section with intent to evade security procedures or restrictions or with intent to commit, in the [aircraft](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-6) or [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) area, a felony under a law of the [United States](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-46) or a State shall be fined under [title 18](/usc/18.md), imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.
- (c) **Notice of Penalties.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Each operator of an [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) in the [United States](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-46) that is required to establish an [air transportation](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-5) security program pursuant to [section 44903(c)](/usc/49/44903.md?p=c) shall ensure that signs that meet such requirements as the Secretary of Homeland Security may prescribe providing notice of the penalties imposed under [section 46301(a)(5)(A)(i)](/usc/49/46301.md?p=a-5-A-i) and [subsection (b)](#b) of this section are displayed near all screening locations, all locations where passengers exit the sterile area, and such other locations at the [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) as the Secretary of Homeland Security determines appropriate.
  - (2) **Effect of signs on penalties.—** An individual shall be subject to a penalty imposed under [section 46301(a)(5)(A)(i)](/usc/49/46301.md?p=a-5-A-i) or [subsection (b)](#b) of this section without regard to whether signs are displayed at an [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) as required by [paragraph (1)](#c-1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1239; Pub. L. 112–74, div. D, title V, § 564(b), (c), Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 981.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 46314 | 49 App.:1472(r). | Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, 72 Stat. 731, § 902(r); added Dec. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–223, § 204(f)(2), 101 Stat. 1520. |

In subsection (b), the words “fined under title 18” are substituted for “a fine not to exceed $1,000” and “a fine not to exceed $10,000” for consistency with title 18.

In subsection (b)(1), the words “Upon conviction” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(2), the words “airport area” are substituted for “secured area” for consistency in this section.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2011—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 112–74, § 564(b), inserted “with intent to evade security procedures or restrictions or” after “of this section”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–74, § 564(c), added subsec. (c).