DGCA enforces ‘zero tolerance’ policy on in-flight misconduct: Here's what travellers need to know

DGCA’s new zero tolerance policy tightens no-fly rules for unruly passengers on flights to and from India.

• DGCA enforces zero tolerance for unruly air travel behavior
• No-fly rules apply to all flights to/from India, including foreign airlines
• Misconduct classified into four levels with strict penalties

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India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has introduced a strict “zero tolerance” policy against unruly behaviour during air travel. The move comes amid a noticeable rise in incidents involving disruptive passengers, both at airports and onboard aircraft.

The new directive, which has come into effect immediately, aims to strengthen passenger safety, protect aircraft and crew, and maintain discipline throughout the travel journey — from check-in counters to cruising altitude.

Why has DGCA announced a zero tolerance policy?

According to the regulator, the primary objective is to ensure the safety of aircraft, passengers, crew and airport property. Aviation authorities have expressed concern over increasing cases of verbal abuse, intoxicated behaviour, mid-air altercations and even attempts to interfere with cockpit operations.

Under the leadership of DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, airlines are now required to establish clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to detect, report and act against unruly passengers.

Importantly, these procedures will not be limited to onboard incidents. They will also apply to:

• Check-in counters
• Airport lounges
• Boarding gates
• Terminal buildings
• Inside the aircraft

If a passenger is found misbehaving at any stage of the travel process, airlines must immediately report the incident to law enforcement agencies.

No-fly rules will apply beyond Indian airlines

One of the key highlights of the draft rules is that the no-fly framework will apply to all passengers travelling to or from India.

This means that even if an unruly passenger is travelling on a foreign airline operating flights to or from India, action can be initiated if the incident is reported. The rules are therefore not restricted to Indian carriers alone.

In addition, the Ministry of Home Affairs may share a list of individuals identified as “national security threats”, who could automatically be placed under the no-fly category.

Four levels of unruly behaviour explained

The DGCA draft classifies in-flight misconduct into four levels based on severity:

Level 1: Unruly conduct such as intimidating physical gestures, verbal abuse, or disruptive behaviour under the influence of alcohol.

Level 2: Physical aggression including pushing, kicking, hitting, grabbing, inappropriate touching, or acts of sexual harassment.

Level 3: Life-threatening actions such as tampering with aircraft systems or engaging in severe violence, including choking, eye gouging, or attempted murder.

Level 4: Any attempt to access or actually breach the flight crew compartment, considered the most serious security violation.

What happens if you are declared unruly?

Under India’s aviation norms, airlines can refer cases to an internal committee that determines whether a passenger should be placed on the no-fly list and for how long. Depending on the severity (Level 1 to Level 4), the ban can range from a few months to several years.

Airlines are also required to:

• Inform passengers of the complaint.
• Allow them to present their side.
• Take a final decision within a prescribed timeline.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies may initiate criminal proceedings in serious cases.

Why this matters for travellers

With record passenger growth in India, maintaining order inside aircraft cabins — which are confined and high-security spaces — has become increasingly important. Even minor disruptions at cruising altitude can escalate quickly and create serious safety risks.

Unruly behaviour can delay flights, trigger emergency landings, and affect hundreds of co-passengers. The DGCA’s zero tolerance policy makes it clear that misconduct during air travel will now invite swift and strict action.

The bottom line

If you are flying to or from India, the new DGCA framework means stricter scrutiny of behaviour both at airports and onboard aircraft. From drunken altercations to cockpit breach attempts, misconduct now falls under clearly defined severity levels — and consequences can be swift and severe.

For passengers, the message is simple: follow crew instructions, avoid confrontations, and respect aviation safety norms — because the skies just got stricter.