Anger up in the air may soon cost you Rs 5 lakh

Alarmed by the increasing instances of unruly passengers misbehaving with the cabin crew, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the first time has proposed a set of rules to deal with unruly passengers.
A DGCA source said, “According to the proposed rules, misbehaviour includes damage to property, even removal of smoke detectors, nagging a steward, trying to touch an air-hostess, getting abusive with the crew or co-passengers or assaulting them. A passenger who indulges in these will attract punishment.”
Nazim Zaidi, DGCA, confirmed having sent the proposed rules to the law ministry for consideration. “A big issue that we are looking to address through this amendment is that of jurisdiction.” This means, even if an offence is committed on foreign airspace in an India-bound flight, a case can be registered and tried in India.
So far, such passengers were to be tried only under the Indian Penal Code. But now, any act which prohibits the crew from discharging their duty will be considered an offence.
Depending on the nature of the misbehaviour, the passenger could be fined up to Rs five lakh or spend a year in jail. The more serious of offences, like getting into physical fights and risking the safety of the aircraft, are also likely to be considered non-bailable offences.
As of now, the Aircraft Rules of 1934 are in force, which do not include punitive measures for passengers who harass or threaten crew members.
In fact, DGCA has had to issue a fresh directive to all airlines to report air rage incident to the Chief of Flight Safety telephonically and submit a written complaint within 12 hours.
08/07/10 Alka Shukla and Aneesh Phadnis/Mumbai Mirror

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General May 2010