Behaving in an unruly manner on a flight could result in you earning a place in India’s first No-Fly list. The distinction could be earned if you are considered threat to other passengers, the crew, or the aircraft you are travelling on.
“The promulgation of the No-Fly list in India is unique and first-of-its-kind in the world. The concept of No-Fly is based on safety of other passengers, crew and the aircraft, and not just based on the security threat,” said Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathy Raju.
“Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 3, Series M, Part Vl on ‘Handling of Unruly Passengers' has been revised to offer a safe flying experience to passengers and crew by having a deterrent for passengers who engage in unruly behaviour. This has been done keeping in view provisions of Tokyo Convention 1963,” said the minister.
The revised CAR, which will be effective on all scheduled, non-scheduled, domestic and international operations, empowers para-military and airport security forces to take strong actions against unruly behaviour of passengers at Indian airports. According to the new rules, unruly behaviour has been classified into three levels—verbal, physical behaviour and life threatening behaviour. Any unruly behaviour could be charged on a passenger by the Pilot In Command and the charges will be probed by an internal committee formed by the airline, presided by retired district, sessions and high court judges.
The committee will have 30 days to prove the charges levelled, during which the passenger will not be allowed to fly. If convicted, however, the committee can pronounce punishments ranging from three months to two years on the No-Fly list.
The No-Fly List will have two components—passengers banned for period varying from three months to more than two years based on level of unruly behaviour; and those persons perceived as ‘national security risk’ by Ministry of Home Affairs.
For every subsequent offence, the ban will be twice the period of previous ban, reminded Raju at the announcement on his approval for No-Fly list on Friday.
