Executive Summary:
This document outlines the procedures and guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding the handling of unruly and disruptive passengers on flights. It details disciplinary actions, reporting requirements, and the implementation of a "No Fly List." Airlines must report incidents within 24 hours and maintain a database of banned passengers.
Key Points / Main Content:
Unruly Passenger Handling:
* DGCA has issued Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), Section 3, Series M, Part VI, titled "Handling of unruly disruptive passengers."
* Unruly behavior is classified into three levels based on severity.
* An Internal Committee, formed per CAR guidelines, recommends flying bans based on misconduct level.
* Airlines may impose a temporary ban (up to 30 days) while the Internal Committee decides on the matter.
Reporting and Database:
* Airlines must report incidents of passenger misconduct to DGCA within 24 hours, as per Cabin Safety Circular 01 of 2025.
* Airlines must maintain a database of passengers recommended for flying bans by the internal committee and share it with DGCA and other airlines.
* DGCA maintains a "No Fly List" for passengers banned from flying to/from/within India.
Legal Recourse:
* Actions considered offenses on the ground are also offenses onboard aircraft.
* Aggrieved passengers can file grievances or complaints with local authorities.
Impact Analysis:
Airlines:
Impact: Airlines are responsible for implementing the DGCA guidelines, forming Internal Committees, reporting incidents, maintaining databases, and potentially imposing temporary flight bans.
Action Required: Update internal procedures to align with CAR guidelines, ensure timely reporting of incidents, establish and maintain the required databases, and train staff on handling unruly passengers.
DGCA:
Impact: DGCA oversees the implementation of the CAR, manages the "No Fly List," and receives reports of unruly passenger incidents.
Action Required: Maintain and update the "No Fly List," review incident reports, and ensure airline compliance with CAR guidelines.
Passengers:
Impact: Passengers are subject to potential flight bans and legal consequences for unruly behavior. Aggrieved passengers have the right to file complaints.
Action Required: Adhere to acceptable behavior standards on flights to avoid penalties, and be aware of their rights to file complaints in cases of assault, harassment, or discrimination.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The civil aviation authority responsible for regulation of air transport in India. It issues guidelines and circulars regarding passenger behavior and safety.
Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), Section 3 Air Transport, Series M, Part VI: A specific regulation issued by the DGCA titled 'Handling of unruly disruptive passengers'. It classifies unruly behavior and specifies procedures for handling such incidents.
Internal Committee: A committee formed by airlines, in accordance with DGCA's CAR, to investigate incidents of unruly passenger behavior and recommend appropriate actions, including flying bans.
No Fly List: A list maintained by the DGCA containing names of unruly passengers who are banned from flying to, from, or within India for a specific period.
Cabin Safety Circular 01 of 2025: A circular issued by the DGCA that mandates airlines to report incidents of passenger misconduct to the DGCA within 24 hours.
SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE: A member of LOK SABHA who raised question about verbal altercations during flights
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the policies related to civil aviation in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4709
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21st August 2025 )
VERBAL ALTERCATIONS DURING FLIGHTS
4709. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the disciplinary or legal procedures being followed by airlines in case passengers are
engaged in verbal or physical altercations during flights;
(b) whether specific guidelines have been issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA) regarding preventive and responsive actions to be taken by cabin crew in cases of
unruly behaviour and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the circumstances under which a passenger can be temporarily banned from flying and the
due process followed before placing an individual on the no-fly list;
(d) whether there is a prescribed time limit within which airlines must report cases of in-flight
assault or misconduct to relevant authorities or the DGCA and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government has a centralised mechanism to track repeat offenders or unruly
passengers across airlines and enforce coordinated travel restrictions, if necessary and if so,
the details thereof; and
(f) the legal rights and protections available to air passengers in the country in cases of
physical assault, harassment or discrimination on board?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (c): In order to ensure safety of the aircraft/persons/property on board, good order &
discipline and to handle the unlawful/disruptive behavior on-board the aircraft, Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), Section 3-
Air Transport, Series M, and Part VI titled 'Handling of unruly / disruptive passengers'. The
CAR classifies unruly behavior into three levels based on the severity of their misconduct.
Based on the recommendation of the Internal Committee, formed in accordance with the
CAR, such passengers may face a flying ban, with its duration determined by the level of
misconduct.
;
Whenever an airline receives a complaint of unruly behavior from the pilot in-command, the
incident may be referred by the airlines to an Internal Committee to decide the duration of theban. The Internal Committee is required to decide the matter within a period of 30 days.
Pending decision of the Internal Committee, the concerned airline may ban such unruly
passenger from flying, but such period may not exceed a period of 30 days.;
;
(d): All airlines are required for reporting the incident of passenger misconduct/passenger
rage/ unruly behaviour to DGCA in accordance with the provisions of Cabin Safety Circular
01 of 2025, issued by DGCA within 24 hours of the incident.;
;
(e): As per the provisions of the aforementioned CAR, airline has to maintain a database of
the passengers who have been recommended by the internal committee for flying ban. The
same has to be informed to DGCA and other airlines. DGCA places the passenger in 'No Fly
list', wherein the unruly passenger is banned from taking flights to/from/within India for a
specific period.;
;
(f): Any act, which is considered offence on the ground and invites penal action as per law, is
also an offence if committed on-board aircraft. An aggrieved passenger may also file
grievance or complaint with the local authorities.
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