DGCA Unveils Draft Regulations to Combat Unruly Passenger Behaviour on Aircraft
India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has recently issued comprehensive draft rules aimed at addressing the issue of unruly passengers on aircraft. These regulations reinforce a strict No/Zero Tolerance Policy, declaring such disruptive behaviour a punishable offence under the Aircraft Rules, 1937. The updated Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), issued under Rule 22, Rule 23, Rule 29, and Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, establishes detailed procedures for airlines, airport operators, and passengers to ensure safety, discipline, and order during air travel.
Scope and Definition of Unruly Passengers
The provisions apply to all Indian scheduled airlines operating domestic and international services, all airport operators within India, and all passengers travelling to or from India. An unruly passenger is defined as someone who fails to respect rules of conduct at an airport or onboard an aircraft, refuses to follow instructions of staff or crew, and disturbs good order and discipline. According to the DGCA, unlawful or disruptive behaviour on board an aircraft can interfere with crew duties, jeopardise safety, disturb fellow passengers, and invite penal action. The regulator emphasises that even a single unruly passenger can compromise flight safety and operational efficiency, stressing that airports and aircraft are not places for protests, sloganeering, or any form of disruptive activity.
Categorisation of Offences and Immediate Bans
Airlines must categorise unruly behaviour into four distinct levels:
- Level 1: Verbal harassment, aggressive gestures, and unruly intoxication.
- Level 2: Physical abuse such as pushing, hitting, grabbing, or sexual harassment.
- Level 3: Life-threatening acts including damage to aircraft systems or violent assault.
- Level 4: Attempted or actual breach of the cockpit.
Acts such as smoking onboard, disobeying the pilot-in-command, interfering with crew duties, damaging aircraft equipment, engaging in protests, or endangering flight safety are considered offences. Under the revised framework, airlines can directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days for disruptive acts like smoking onboard, alcohol consumption in violation of rules, sloganeering, misuse of emergency exits, or intoxication-related misconduct, without referring the case to an Independent Committee.
No-Fly List and Committee Procedures
For more serious offences (Levels 1 to 4), an airline must refer the matter to an Independent Committee comprising a retired District & Sessions Judge as Chairperson, a representative from another airline, and a representative from a passenger or consumer association. This committee must decide within 45 days and determine the duration of the ban:
- Level 1 offences may attract a ban of up to three months.
- Level 2 offences may result in up to six months.
- Level 3 and 4 offences can lead to a minimum two-year ban or longer.
A central No-Fly List, maintained by the DGCA, will contain details of passengers banned after committee decisions, though it will not be made public. In cases involving national security threats, the Ministry of Home Affairs may recommend inclusion in the No-Fly List without appeal provisions.
SOPs, Training, and Enforcement Measures
Airlines are required to establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling unruly passengers both at airports and onboard. Early detection, de-escalation, and respectful handling of passenger grievances are emphasised. Crew members must first attempt to defuse situations verbally before using restraining measures. Airlines are also directed to train flight crew, cabin crew, ground staff, and airport personnel in conflict management and early-warning identification. To raise awareness, airports must publicly post the rules pertaining to rowdy passengers.
Representatives of the airline are required to lodge complaints with law enforcement upon landing, if required. The DGCA must also be notified of incidents in accordance with the Cabin Safety Circular. Security agencies such as airport police, CISF, BCAS, and airline security officials must be informed in cases posing safety threats.
Appeal Mechanism and Finality
Passengers placed on the No-Fly List may appeal within 60 days to an Appellate Committee constituted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. This committee is headed by a retired High Court judge, and its decision is final, subject to judicial review in a High Court. The DGCA's move issues a clear message: disruptive behaviour in aviation will face swift and structured consequences, prioritising safety, security, and hassle-free travel for all.
