DGCA suggests a month-long flight restriction for airlines regarding disruptive passengers.

India’s aviation authority is considering granting airlines more immediate and potent enforcement powers against disruptive passengers, indicating a formal transition to a “Zero Tolerance” policy.

In its draft revised guidelines on managing unruly passengers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suggested enabling airlines to directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days in specific situations, without needing to consult an Independent Committee.

Although the graded ban framework remains largely intact, the significant change is in the speed of enforcement and operational control.
What changes

According to current Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), airlines can enforce a temporary ban for up to 45 days while awaiting a decision from an Independent Committee. This provision is preserved in the draft.

However, it now clearly permits airlines to impose an immediate ban of up to 30 days in instances where a passenger is identified as having engaged in specific, clearly defined disruptive behaviors, bypassing the committee’s review.

This effectively decentralizes enforcement for straightforward cases.

Acts that can trigger an immediate ban

The draft outlines that direct 30-day bans may be enacted for incidents such as:

• Smoking on board
• Consuming alcohol on a domestic flight (excluding beverages served by cabin crew)
• Misuse of emergency exits
• Unauthorized use of life-saving equipment, including life vests

These actions are classified as safety-sensitive violations, for which immediate deterrence is deemed necessary.

Graded ban system continues

The overall classification of unruly behavior remains unchanged:

• Level 1 – Verbal abuse, disruptive gestures, excessive drunkenness (up to 3 months ban)
• Level 2 – Physical assaults, including shoving, kicking, grabbing, or sexual harassment (up to 6 months ban)
• Level 3 – Life-threatening actions, including damage to aircraft systems or violent attacks (minimum 2 years)
• Level 4 – Attempts or actual breaches of the cockpit (minimum 2 years or more, with no specified maximum limit)

While some initial responses indicated a significant rise in maximum penalties, the upper-end ban framework was already in place. The draft mainly enhances procedural clarity rather than expanding punishment limits.

Independent Committee still required for longer bans

For bans exceeding 30 days, airlines must continue to submit cases to an Independent Committee made up of:

• A retired judge serving as chairperson
• A representative from another airline
• A consumer advocate

The committee is responsible for determining the final duration of bans based on the seriousness of the violation.

Formal adoption of ‘zero tolerance’

The draft explicitly implements a “No/Zero Tolerance Policy,” aimed at safeguarding the aircraft, passengers, crew, and property while ensuring discipline on board.

The regulator has also suggested that airlines must:

• Develop and execute a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing unruly passengers
• Create structured reporting systems to the DGCA
• Disseminate procedures among all relevant parties

India has experienced numerous high-profile incidents involving unruly passengers in recent times, ranging from in-flight confrontations to safety violations. The proposal, if finalized, could enable swifter enforcement, thereby minimizing procedural delays in clear-cut safety scenarios.

Stakeholders are invited to submit comments on the draft until March 16.