DGCA proposes stricter norms for unruly flyers: 'Zero tolerance policy ...'

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed tougher rules to tackle unruly passengers, including granting airlines the authority to directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days on such offenders.

"A 'No/Zero Tolerance Policy' has been adopted to ensure the safety of the aircraft/persons/property and to maintain good order & discipline on board an aircraft," the aviation watchdog said in its draft revised rules.

The regulator has stated that airlines must frame and implement a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing unruly passengers and reporting such incidents to the DGCA.

An independent committee set up by the airline that will include a representative from another carrier, among others, will take a decision on the flying ban.

"... an airline may directly impose a flying ban for a disruptive passenger for a period not exceeding thirty days (30) days without referring the matter to the Independent Committee, where the passenger is found to have committed any of the following disruptive acts on board an aircraft," DGCA said.

Under the current Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), the airline concerned can impose a flying ban of up to 45 days on an unruly passenger while the matter is pending before the independent committee.

Unruly passengers can face varying periods of flying ban depending on the level of offences. The ban can be up to three months for level 1 and for Level 2, the same can be up to six months. In the case of Level 3 and 4 cases, the minimum ban can be for two years or more without a limit.

Leve1 refers to unruly behaviour such as physical gestures, verbal harassment or unruly inebriation. Level 2 refers to physically abusive behaviour, including pushing, kicking, hitting, grabbing or inappropriate touching or sexual harassment.

Level 3 refers to "life-threatening behaviour (damage to aircraft operating systems, physical violence such as choking, eye gouging, murderous assault etc)" and Level 4 refers to attempted or actual breach of the flight crew compartment.