India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has proposed tougher rules to deal with unruly and disruptive passengers, giving airlines greater powers to act swiftly in the interest of flight safety.
In a draft Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) issued under the Aircraft Rules, 1937, DGCA invited stakeholder feedback until March 16. The regulator stressed that even a single disruptive passenger can endanger an aircraft, its crew, and fellow travellers, reiterating a “Zero Tolerance Policy” towards unlawful behaviour on board and at airports.
Airlines Gain Immediate Authority
Under the proposed rules, airlines can directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days on disruptive passengers without referring the case to an Independent Committee. This marks a departure from the 2017 framework, which required all cases to be reviewed by a three-member panel, often delaying action.
Passengers banned under the 30-day provision will not be placed on DGCA’s central ‘No-Fly List’, though airlines must maintain a database and inform the regulator.
Acts That Trigger Immediate Ban
Disruptive behaviour includes smoking on board, consuming alcohol not served by crew, misuse of emergency exits or life-saving equipment, protests or sloganeering, intoxication-related misconduct, screaming, or disturbing fellow passengers.
Categorisation of Offences
The draft retains four levels of unruly behaviour:
- Level 1: Verbal abuse, gestures, intoxication – ban up to 3 months
- Level 2: Physical assault, inappropriate touch, sexual harassment – ban up to 6 months
- Level 3: Life-threatening behaviour, serious violence, damage to aircraft systems – minimum 2 years
- Level 4: Attempted or actual cockpit breach – minimum 2 years or lifetime ban
Repeat offenders will face double the duration of the previous ban.
Responsibilities and Appeal
Airlines must establish SOPs, train staff to detect and defuse situations, and report incidents to DGCA. Crew must attempt verbal resolution before restraint, while pilots may divert flights in extreme cases.
Passengers placed on the ‘No-Fly List’ can appeal within 60 days to an Appellate Committee headed by a retired High Court judge. Those banned directly by airlines under the 30-day rule can appeal within 15 days to the airline’s Independent Committee.
DGCA said the revised framework aims to ensure quicker action, stronger deterrence, and safer skies.
