By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) outgoing chief said Tuesday that “zero tolerance policies” should be kept in force to address unruly passengers.

Steve Dickson, FAA administrator, told reporters that even if Biden’s administration removes the mandate for masks onboard planes in January 2021 the original policy must be followed.

Biden’s administration extended the mandate for transit masks through April 18, and now considers whether to end it or continue. In March 2021 the FAA expanded the zero tolerance policy, and stated it would apply it for as long as it remained in force.

Dickson stated Tuesday that “Regardless of the outcome with the mask mandate,” he said.

According to the FAA, since January 2021 there has been an unprecedented 6,900 incidents involving passengers. 70% of these were masked rules. However, this number is declining.

Dickson claimed that rates would fall further once the federal mandate has been lifted.

Last month, the FAA reported that it had referred 80 passengers from unruly aircrafts to the FBI in order for them to face criminal charges.

Dickson talked to Reuters Tuesday, just days before he resigns as chief FAA officer. He spoke about the many challenges he faced during his five-year tenure.

He was highly praised by Boeing (NYSE:) for its efforts to strengthen relations with the FAA.

Dickson said Tuesday that he was demanding greater transparency, completeness, and rigor from their processes. If there’s anything they feel I should be worried about, (Boeing), will contact me. They’re not asking me for anything.

The FAA warned that the aircraft manufacturer may not receive certification of a modified version of the 737 MAX in time for Congress’ key safety deadline.

The deadline can only be extended by Congress if the FAA has not certified the 737 MAX 10. Dickson did not say whether he believes Boeing will be approved before January.

Dickson stated that Boeing “knows what it should do and what it must provide for us.”

Boeing didn’t immediately respond to Tuesday’s request for comment.

Dickson refused to speak on the not guilty verdict last week of a Boeing test pilot who was charged with lying to the FAA in its certification review for the 737 MAX.

Dickson responded to a question about whether Boeing was held accountable for two 737 MAX accidents that resulted in the deaths of 346 people: “We hold Boeing responsible everyday just as we do ourselves.”

Boeing signed a $2.5 Billion deferred prosecution agreement in January 2021 with the Justice Department.