Cracking down on rising incidents of disruptive behaviour during air travel, India’s aviation regulator — the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — has released a draft framework enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers. The proposal mandates airlines to adopt strict standard operating procedures (SOPs covering both airport premises and onboard aircraft), with penalties ranging from temporary travel restrictions to lifetime no-fly bans.
Under the draft, airlines will be required to act at the earliest signs of aggression or indiscipline — whether at check-in counters, lounges, boarding gates or inside terminal areas. Frontline staff must immediately report such behaviour, and where necessary, alert law-enforcement agencies to prevent the passenger from boarding.
The regulator has also directed carriers to provide regular training to ground staff and cabin crew on the new SOPs, enabling early intervention and de-escalation so that safety risks do not spill over into flight operations.
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No leeway in national security cases
A key provision empowers authorities to share names of individuals assessed as posing threats to national security. Such passengers may be placed directly on a no-fly list, with no appellate remedy available. The list will not be made public, and restrictions will remain in force for as long as the individual is categorised as a security risk.
Officials said the intent is to ensure swift preventive action in sensitive cases, without procedural delays that could compromise aviation safety.
Unruly conduct classified into four levels
The draft rules will apply to all domestic and international flights operating to or from India — including foreign carriers. Passenger misconduct has been divided into four graded categories:
- Level 1: Verbal abuse, obscene gestures, shouting, intoxicated disturbance
- Level 2: Physical pushing, assault, grabbing, inappropriate touching or sexual harassment
- Level 3: Life-threatening acts such as choking, attacking eyes, or damaging aircraft systems
- Level 4: Attempted forced entry into the cockpit or flight-crew compartment
Depending on severity, airlines may impose short-term travel bans or recommend permanent prohibitions.
Industry officials said the structured matrix brings much-needed clarity to enforcement, replacing ad-hoc responses with uniform action across carriers.
Balancing discipline with passenger rights
The regulator has acknowledged that confrontations often arise from service disruptions or unresolved grievances. Airlines have therefore been instructed to address passenger complaints at the earliest stage, before frustration escalates.
At the same time, DGCA has made it explicit that airline staff and crew members must maintain professional conduct at all times and avoid confrontational behaviour — particularly when passengers are raising legitimate concerns.
“The objective is not merely punitive,” officials said. “The focus is on ensuring the safety of passengers, crew and aircraft, while encouraging airlines to resolve issues proactively.”
Recent years have seen a noticeable uptick in onboard altercations and terminal-area confrontations, prompting calls for clearer deterrence mechanisms. Aviation safety experts believe the new framework could act as a strong preventive tool, especially when backed by consistent enforcement.
Stakeholder feedback invited
The draft has been circulated for stakeholder consultation. Once finalised, airlines will be given a defined timeline to update internal SOPs and submit compliance reports to the regulator.
Legal observers note that the framework also strengthens coordination between airlines, airport operators and security agencies, creating a unified response system to disruptive conduct.
With air traffic steadily rising and cabin environments becoming increasingly pressured, the DGCA’s move is being seen as a decisive step to restore discipline in India’s aviation ecosystem — sending a clear message that misconduct, whether on the ground or in the air, will invite swift and serious consequences.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
