Keep database of all unruly passengers, says DGCA to Air India (head)

It also asked the airline to refer the incident to its internal committee which will decide within 30 days on the length of the unruly passenger’s flight ban and this could range from zero days to a lifetime ban.

Two incidents of passenger misconduct that occurred on Air India flight AI-142 on December 6, 2022 from Paris to New Delhi came to the attention of the DGCA. A passenger was caught smoking in the toilet, was drunk and did not listen to the crew. Another passenger is said to have relieved himself on an empty seat and blanket belonging to a female passenger when she went to the toilet.

A senior DGCA official said the affected airline will refer the incident to the internal committee consisting of three members, including a retired district and trial judge as chairman, a representative from another airline as a member, and a representative from a passenger association or consumer association or retired officer of the Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum as a member.

Pending the internal committee’s decision, the airline concerned may ban such unruly passengers from flying for a period of up to 30 days, the DGCA official said Monday.

Following the decision of the Internal Committee, the airline will maintain a database of all these unruly passengers and forward it to the DGCA, which is the custodian for maintaining the “No-Fly List”.

“It may be noted that the period for which an unruly passenger can be put on the ‘No-Fly List’ is the sole decision of the internal committee of the relevant airline,” the regulator said.

The DGCA said on Monday that Air India’s response was “lax and delayed” regarding the two incidents of passenger misconduct on Air India flight AI-142 on December 6, 2022 from Paris to New Delhi.

The DGCA said on Monday that Air India had not reported the incident until the regulator requested the incident report from them on Jan. 5.

“After reviewing M/s Air India’s reply via email dated January 6, it appears prima facie that the provisions relating to dealing with unruly passengers under DGCA CAR Section 3, Series-M, Part-VIA are not have been complied with. It has been noted that the airline’s response has been lax and delayed,” it said.

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