DGCA proposes 30-day ban for unruly flyers

New Delhi: India's aviation regulator has proposed giving airlines the authority to impose immediate 30-day flying bans on disruptive passengers, in a significant shift from the country's existing rules that require unruly behaviour aboard aircraft to be first referred to an independent committee.

Under draft amendments published by Directorate General of Civil Airlines (DGCA), carriers would be empowered to directly ban passengers for up to 30 days for offences including smoking on board, consuming alcohol on a domestic flight or on an international service where the drink was not served by cabin crew, misusing emergency exits, and unauthorised handling of life-saving equipment such as life jackets.

The draft covers protests or sloganeering onboard, intoxication-related misconduct, and behaviour deemed disruptive - including shouting, inconveniencing fellow passengers, and repeatedly kicking seat backs or tray tables.


Airlines would be required to draw up and enforce a standard operating procedure (SOP) for managing such passengers and for reporting incidents to the DGCA, and to share that procedure with all relevant stakeholders.

The proposed changes fall under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

DGCA has invited stakeholders to submit feedback on the amendments.

The proposals mark a notable toughening of India's approach to in-flight misconduct. Under the current framework, carriers lacked the power to act unilaterally in imposing travel bans, which, critics said, hampered swift responses to safety threats.

DGCA acknowledged that disruptive incidents represent a small share of overall air travel but argued that even a single unruly passenger can pose a serious risk to flight safety and operations.

The regulator said the proposed measures were designed to help airlines act faster to protect passengers and crew.

The draft comes as Indian aviation continues to expand rapidly, with passenger numbers climbing steadily in recent years.