30-day flight ban for unruly flyers?:DGCA seeks zero tolerance on drinking misuse of safety devices

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the body that monitors flights in the country, has proposed strict rules to deal with unruly passengers. The agency stated that passengers who cause any disturbance on a plane should be banned from flying for 30 days. In its revised draft rules, the DGCA said that a zero-tolerance policy has been adopted to ensure the safety of aircraft, people, and property, and to maintain proper order and discipline on board. The agency further suggested that airlines can take action for multiple violations. These include smoking on the aircraft, consuming alcohol on domestic flights, misusing the emergency exit, or using life-saving equipment like life jackets without permission. Also Read | DGCA introduces 5-stage approval system for flights during fog Instructions for airlines to prepare SOPs Along with other proposals, the regulator has stated that an airline will create and implement a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to deal with unruly passengers and report such incidents to the DGCA, and circulate it among all relevant stakeholders. An independent committee set up by the airline, which will also include a representative from another airline, will decide on imposing a flight ban. The regulator said that if a passenger is found creating any kind of disturbance on board, the airline can directly impose a flying ban of 30 days or more on them. Such cases will not be sent to the independent committee. Also Read | DGCA issues show cause notice to Air India pilot Currently, until the committee gives its decision, a 45-day ban is imposed Under the existing Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), until the independent committee decides, the airline may ban the unruly passenger from flying for up to 45 days. This rule is also included in the proposed amended CAR to deal with unruly passengers. Comments from stakeholders on the CAR amendments have been requested by 16 March. In 2017, Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad had beaten an Air India staff member with a slipper. Following this, the DGCA framed the Civil Aviation Requirement rules.