The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has proposed stricter norms to control unruly passenger behaviour on flights. The move comes amid a rise in onboard incidents across Indian airlines. Severe violations could now attract flying bans extending beyond two years.
These draft rules are part of a revised Civil Aviation Requirement aimed at enforcing zero tolerance for disruptions. Under the proposal, airlines may impose temporary bans of up to 30 days without waiting for an independent committee’s decision.
This provision applies to specific violations such as smoking onboard, consuming alcohol on domestic flights, or tampering with safety equipment. The intent is to enable quick action in clear cases of misconduct that threaten safety or order.
The DGCA has also suggested a graded penalty framework based on offence severity. Level 1 violations like verbal harassment or unruly intoxication may lead to bans of up to three months. Level 2 offences involving physical abuse could attract bans of up to six months.
More serious Level 3 and Level 4 offences include life threatening acts or attempts to breach the cockpit. Such cases may result in bans lasting a minimum of two years or even longer, depending on the gravity of the incident.
Airlines will be required to create standard operating procedures and independent committees to review reported incidents. These mechanisms aim to ensure fair assessment and consistent enforcement across carriers.
With air travel steadily increasing in India, the proposed rules appear necessary. However, their real impact will depend on uniform implementation and safeguards to prevent misuse or arbitrary decisions.
