Why in the News?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has proposed amendments to Civil Aviation Requirement provisions to empower airlines to directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days on unruly or disruptive passengers.
Legal Basis
- Proposed under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937
- Amends the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) framework governing handling of disruptive passengers
Key Provisions of the Proposal
- Flying Ban up to 30 Days
- Airlines can impose a ban directly.
- No need for prior referral to the independent committee.
- Database & Reporting
- Airlines must maintain a database of banned passengers.
- DGCA must be informed of every ban.
- Such passengers will NOT be added to the regulator’s official No Fly List.
- Objective
- Ensure swift action in the interest of passenger and flight safety.
- Streamline existing procedures.
What Constitutes Disruptive Behaviour?
The revised definition includes:
- Smoking on board
- Consumption of alcohol on domestic flights
- Tampering with emergency exits
- Unauthorized use of life jackets or other safety equipment
- Protests or sloganeering inside aircraft
- Intoxicated misbehaviour
- Screaming or causing annoyance
- Kicking or banging seats or tray tables
Existing Mechanism
- Cases must be referred to an Independent Committee.
- Committee headed by a retired District and Sessions Judge.
- Decision required within 45 days before ban enforcement.
Significance for Prelims
- DGCA is India’s aviation safety regulator under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- Rule 133A empowers DGCA to issue directions in public interest and aviation safety.
- Distinction between:
- Airline imposed temporary ban
- Official regulator maintained No Fly List
- Safety related regulatory reforms often tested in UPSC under transport and governance.
| [2024] Consider the following airports:
1. Donyi Polo Airport 2. Kushinagar International Airport 3. Vijayawada International Airport In the recent past, which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield projects? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
