India’s aviation watchdog is planning a major crackdown on bad behaviour in the skies.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed stricter rules to deal with unruly passengers.
If approved, airlines will be able to directly ban disruptive flyers for up to 30 days.
The draft rules have been released for public feedback and comments are open until March 16.
Airlines May Get More Power
Under the proposed changes, airlines will no longer need to immediately refer certain cases to an independent committee.
Instead, they can directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days on passengers involved in specific disruptive acts.
These include:
Smoking inside the aircraft
Misusing emergency exits
Drinking alcohol on domestic flights
Unauthorised use of safety equipment like life jackets
The DGCA has clearly stated that it follows a “No/Zero Tolerance Policy” to ensure safety, discipline and order on board.
Airlines will also be required to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to handle such incidents and report them to the regulator.
New “Level 4” for Serious Offences
The draft introduces a new and more serious category called “Level 4”.
This level covers attempted or actual breach of the cockpit — one of the most serious threats to flight safety.
Here’s how offences are classified:
Level 1: Verbal abuse or unruly behaviour — ban up to 3 months
Level 2: Physical abuse — ban up to 6 months
Level 3: Life-threatening acts like damaging aircraft systems — minimum 2-year ban
Level 4: Cockpit breach or attempt — minimum 2-year ban or more
This clear classification aims to make punishments stricter and more transparent.
What About the No-Fly List?
The draft also makes a distinction between “disruptive” and “unruly” passengers.
Disruptive passengers may face a short-term ban directly from the airline.
However, if a case goes to a committee and the passenger is placed on the official no-fly list, the restriction can be much longer.
Under current rules, airlines can already impose a temporary ban of up to 45 days while waiting for a committee decision.
This provision will continue under the proposed system.
If implemented, these new rules could significantly change how airlines handle in-flight misconduct — sending a strong message that bad behaviour in the air will not be tolerated.
