India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has now come up with stricter rules for unruly passengers on flights. It has adopted a ‘no tolerance’ or ‘zero tolerance’ policy with immediate effect to reduce the chances of misbehaviour on flights, which has become common in recent days. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Has DGCA Announced A Zero Tolerance Policy?
According to News18, DGCA has issued a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to ensure the safety of aircraft, people and property on board. This strict measure will also help maintain discipline and order on flights. The major change announced by DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai is that airlines will now have to establish proper procedures to deal with unruly passengers. These procedures will apply not just on board the aircraft but also at the airport.
The SOP will be communicated throughout the organisation, especially to employees who remain in direct contact with passengers on the ground and on aircraft. According to a report by The Times of India, airlines will now have mechanisms to detect and report misbehaving passengers. If a traveller shows unruly behaviour at check-in, in the lounge, at the boarding gate, or anywhere in the terminal building, they will be reported immediately to law enforcement agencies.
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What Are The Four Levels Of Unruly Behaviour?
According to a report by News18, there are four levels of unruly behaviour described in the DGCA draft:
1: Physical gestures, verbal harassment and disruptive misbehaviour while being drunk.
2: Physically abusive actions, including pushing, kicking, hitting, inappropriate touching or sexual harassment.
3: Life-threatening behaviour, including damage to aircraft operating systems, attempted murder or serious physical violence such as choking.
4: Attempting or actually breaching the flight crew compartment.
According to The Times of India, the Ministry of Home Affairs may provide DGCA and airlines with a list. The list will include individuals identified as ‘national security threats’. These individuals will be included in the No-Fly List.
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What do you think of these new rules under the DGCA zero-tolerance policy? Do share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
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