Unruly passengers could face lifetime ban in India
After several months of consultation with the airline industry, India’s civil aviation ministry has released its official no fly list directive.
Unruly air travellers can now be banned for life depending on the severity of an in-flight offence.
The ministry has classified unruly behaviour into three categories.
Verbal harassment carries a flying ban of three months, while passengers engaging in physically-abusive behaviour would be grounded for six months.
The most severe measure is for life-threatening behaviour which carries a mandatory two-year ban and can be extended for life.
"We took suggestions from all the stakeholders and have also taken into consideration the Tokyo Convention. The opinion of regulators of other countries were also taken before deciding on the final list," said Union civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.
When assessing each incident, the airline concerned will need to establish a committee chaired by a retired judge and should include representatives from another airline and a passenger or consumer association.
A decision on whether to ban a passenger must be made within 30 days of a complaint being filed.
Once a passenger has been given an airline ban, other airlines are permitted to ban the individual from flying during the stated period.
Each banned individual has a right of appeal.
The rules came about after national outrage over the behaviour of two elected MPs, one of which physically assaulted an airline employee.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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