Relevance: GS II (Regulatory Bodies) & GS III (Infrastructure – Aviation) | Source: The Hindu / PIB

1. The Context: Why the Change?

Even a single disruptive passenger on a flight creates a serious safety risk for hundreds of people.

The Old Problem:
Currently, airlines must refer cases of passenger misconduct to an Independent Committee, which can take up to
45 days to decide punishment. This delays both justice and safety.

The New Solution:
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed a Zero Tolerance Policy
allowing airlines to take immediate action.

2. Key Proposed Reforms (The 30-Day Direct Ban)

• Direct Action: Airlines may directly ban a disruptive passenger for up to 30 days without waiting for committee approval.
• What counts as “Disruptive”?
  • Smoking on board, including e-cigarettes.
  • Consuming alcohol on domestic flights or bringing personal alcohol.
  • Tampering with emergency exits or life jackets.
  • Screaming, protesting, kicking seats, or creating nuisance.
• No-Fly List Clause:
  A direct 30-day ban does not automatically place the passenger on the national DGCA “No-Fly List”
  unless the independent committee later enhances the punishment.

3. The Four Levels of Offenses

If the independent committee reviews the case, stricter penalties apply:

• Level 1: Verbal abuse – Ban up to 3 months.
• Level 2: Physical abuse (hitting/pushing) – Ban up to 6 months.
• Level 3: Life-threatening violence (e.g., choking) – Minimum 2-year ban.
• Level 4 (New): Attempted or actual cockpit breach – Minimum 2-year to lifetime ban.

UPSC Value Box

Prelims Practice Question

With reference to the proposed DGCA rules for handling disruptive passengers, consider the following statements:

1. Airlines can directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days without referring the matter to an independent committee.
2. Passengers banned under this immediate 30-day provision are automatically added to the DGCA national “No-Fly List”.
3. A newly introduced Level 4 offense deals with attempted or actual cockpit breach.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)

One-line wrap: DGCA’s zero-tolerance framework enables swift action against disruptive passengers while balancing
individual liberty with aviation safety.