Government Introduces No-Fly List Mechanism, Proposes A Ban For Unruly Passengers

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju today introduced the no-fly list mechanism and proposed bans for unruly passengers from domestic air travel from three months to two years or beyond depending on the level of offence.

“Decision will be taken by an independent committee under a retired District Judge within a period of 30 days of alleged offence," Raju said in a tweet. "The No-Fly ban will be in addition to any statutory legal action that can be taken against the offender under existing laws," he added.

As per the guidelines, ban on passengers could be imposed on three levels. While level one includes “unruly physical gestures, verbal harassment and unruly inebriation” and would invite a ban for three months, level two includes 'physically abusive behaviour (pushing, kicking, hitting, and inappropriate touching)' and would invite a ban of up to six months. The most severe punishment is in the 'level three' category, which includes 'damage to aircraft systems’, in addition to 'life threatening behaviour and assault'. In such cases the ban will be a minimum two years.

This development comes after Shiv Sena parliamentarian Ravindra Gaikwad assaulted an Air India staffer aboard a plane "25 times" with a slipper for not being allowed to fly business class in an all-economy plane earlier this year.