The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines to adequately train its staff in combating any unruly behavior by passengers – whether on board, or at the airport. In fact, DGCA will also make it compulsory for airlines to have a warning printed against such actions, on each ticket.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is an umbrella organisation for over 240 airlines, which represents and serves the airline industry worldwide. As per the IATA, there were over 28,000 reported cases of unruly behaviour on aircraft during 2007-2013.
Repercussions of such unacceptable behaviour can be severe – the safety of all on board being compromised, operational disruption and sometimes even cost airlines a great deal. However, owing to the laxity in existing laws, there exist many cases wherein perpetrators go unpunished.
While the decision still in the planning stage, sources in the DGCA say that they will make it mandatory for airlines to put a statutory warning printed on each ticket. The monition will specify that the acts will be considered unlawful and passengers involved will be handed over to law enforcement agencies for penal action.
As per the Indian Aircraft Rules, 1937, any offence under these rules is punishable with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to Rs5 lakh or both. These rules empower the airline and cabin crew to initiate action against a passenger for intimidating/threatening/assaulting, and lodge a complaint with the Central Industrial Security Force.
Last month, dna had reported an incident where a senior NCP leader was deplaned by Jet Airways for allegedly misbehaving with the cabin crew in a drunken state, which led to the flight getting delayed by about an hour.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}