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NATION JANUARY 13, 2023 | The Indian Eye 6

After mid-air incidents, aviation bodies

crack the whip on unruly passengers

On November 26, a drunk passenger allegedly unzipped and urinated on a co-passenger in the business
class of an Air India flight from New York to Delhi

OUR BUREAU
New York/New Delhi
n wake of Air India mid-air uri-
nation incidents, the Director-
Iate General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA) has issued an advisory to
the head of operations of all sched-
uled airlines with regard to handling
unruly passenger on board and re-
spective responsibilities as per the
regulations.
On November 26, a drunk pas-
senger allegedly unzipped and urinat-
ed on a co-passenger in the business
class of an Air India flight from New
York to Delhi. He remained at the
spot, exposing himself until another
passenger asked him to return to his
seat. The Delhi Police on Wednesday
filed an FIR on the shocking incident
based on a complaint by Air India.
The police have registered an
FIR in the matter under sections
354, 509, and 510 of the Indian Penal
Code and Section 23 of the Indian
Aircraft Act. Both the accused and
the victim are from outside Delhi. Air India CEO has told all employees that timely action is necessary against those passengers who don’t follow the flight rules (File photo)
Now, the DGCA said that it is
observed that post holders, pilots proved or accepted by DGCA. In a letter to Air India employ- reflect on what you would do if faced
and cabin crew members have failed DGCA also highlight some ees, the CEO stated that timely ac- with such situations. As in any other
to take appropriate actions regarding points that come under the Aircraft tion is necessary against those who area, knowledge and preparation un-
the incidents of unruly behavior and Rules. Highlighting the responsibil- don’t follow the flight rules. Camp- derpin confidence and outcome,” the
inappropriate conduct by the passen- ities of Pilots, the DGCA said the bell said, “This week has, ‘regret- CEO added.
ger on board. Pilot in command is responsible for tably’, been dominated by media Meanwhile, the Directorate
In a statement, DGCA said, “In the safety of the passenger and cargo headlines of which you are no-doubt General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
the recent past, DGCA has noticed a carried and for the maintenance of familiar. The repulsion felt by the advisory recommends keeping re-
few incidents of unruly behavior and flight discipline. affected passenger is totally under- straining devices inside Aircraft to
inappropriate conduct by the pas- It said, further, detailed proce- standable and we share her distress.” control unruly passengers.
senger on board the aircraft during dures for handling unruly passenger He reiterated the importance A senior DGCA official said
flight, wherein it is observed that post are enumerated under the relevant of reporting untoward incidents on- that they recommend devices kept
holders, pilots and cabin crew mem- chapter of the approved Operations board flights to authorities, even in aircraft cabin used to restrain
bers have failed to take appropriate Manual (Part-A) of respective air- if the crew believes it has been re- unruly passengers of level 3 type i.e
actions.” lines. Pointing out the responsibilities solved. “We must also be clear on the abusive physically violent category.
The aviation regulatory body of Cabin Crews, the DGCA said that standard of behavior that is expected The device looks like a handcuff.
further said that non-action or inap- it is their responsibility of handling on our aircraft and take firm, decisive Equipment for the help of cabin
propriate action or omission by the unruly passenger and to defuse a crit- and timely action against those who crew. Some airlines in India like Air
airlines towards such untoward inci- ical situation until it becomes clear. do not comply,” he said. Asia are keeping it in the aircraft
dents had tarnished the image of air After two incidents were report- “Though there are numerous cabin. He further said that Applying
travel in different segments of society. ed mid-air on an Air India flight, the cases in which we have done exactly restraining devices should be used
It said that the individual’s re- airline chief executive officer (CEO) this, I have asked that these, and oth- when all conciliatory approaches
sponsibility for the handling of the Campbell Wilson asked the airline er relevant aspects of the Safety and have been exhausted. Civil Aviation
unruly passenger has been specified staff to report any instances of “any Emergency Procedures Manual, be Rule (CAR) makes cabin crew re-
under various provisions of Aircraft improper behavior on board to au- immediately reiterated by operating sponsible for informing the passen-
Rules, 1937, DGCA regulations, thorities at the earliest even if the departments and reinforced in recur- ger of the repercussion and conse-
circulars and manuals of airlines ap- matter appears to be resolved”. rent training, and I ask each of you to quences of such unruly behavior.

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