In light of the recent urination instances on two separate Air India flights, aviation regulatory body Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an advisory to airlines to handle disruptive passengers. While slamming the airlines, DGCA condemned the unprofessional handling on the issue and the laxity in filing an FIR. Non compliance with the advisory will be dealt with strictly and can even lead to enforcement action. “In the recent past, DGCA has noticed a few incidents of unruly behaviour and inappropriate conduct by the passengers on board the aircraft during flight, wherein it is observed that post holders, pilots and cabin crew members have failed to take appropriate actions,” read the statement. The advisory further highlights several sections of the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) that mandate it upon the crew and airline staff to make clear the repercussions of unruly behaviour to the passengers. DGCA also underscores sensitisation plans for pilots, cabin crew and Director-in-flight Services to handle unruly behaviour. The guidelines equip the staff with the power to use restraining devices in case verbal communication and written notices fail to defuse the situation. It also makes it incumbent upon the airline representative to lodge an FIR upon landing at the aerodrome and hand over the passenger to the security agency.
