Centre plans new penalties, bans for 'unruly' airplane passengers

Bad behaviour on flights is a common problem in both India and across the world. However, so far, the Indian government has not established any actual penalties for such behaviour. But that is set to change, triggered by a spate of incidents, notably when Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Ravindra Gaikwad physically assaulted an Air India manager on March 23. 

The proposed National No-Fly will be a Central database which will maintain records of 'unruly' passengers. While being on the list does not entail an automatic ban on flying in all planes, it does allow airlines to levy certain penalties on such passengers. 

Watch: Caught on Cam: Shiv Sena MP Gaikwad misbehaving with Air India staff

The ministry of civil aviation had last month issued its draft rules for the no-fly list and invited stakeholders' comments within the next 30 days. It had mooted a ban on flying from three months up to an indefinite period for unruly passengers.

"The deadline (for comments) has passed, and we have received many suggestions. June 20 is our target date for issuing the final Civil Aviation Requirement," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said. 

He said the ministry is currently evaluating the suggestions and taking the advice of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the matter. The government has recommended three levels of unruly behaviour, each with a corresponding duration of flying ban of 3 months, 6 months and two years or more without limit. 

The draft is an amendment to the existing Civil Aviation Requirement, a set of rules on unruly and disruptive passengers. The Centre is likely to release its rules on a no-fly list for unruly passengers by June 20. 

Various nations have different 'no fly' lists, with America having the most famous one. If your name appears on the US list you will be stopped and verified every time you take a flight, unless you are permanently banned. 

• No FLy list
• Flying ban
• Air India