NEW DELHI: Smoking on board, with toilets being one of the favorite places for this illegal act, could soon land a person being arrested and also put on the no-fly list. Continuously kicking seat backs/tray tables, tampering with emergency exits, playing with life jackets or protests on board can also lead to the same action under the regulations proposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to deal with unruly passengers. The flight ban can last up to life, depending on the seriousness of the crime. The draft rules state that if a passenger indulges in any of the specified acts under four categories of “unruly behaviour”, “he or she is likely to violate the law and may be arrested on arrival at the destination, or at any other airport at which the pilot may choose to land”. These conditions include consuming or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, leading to disorderly behaviour; Smoking or using electronic smoking devices on board; Failure to comply with the instructions of the aircraft commander; Using threatening or abusive language towards a crew member or other passenger; Resorting to physical assault, threats, or disorderly conduct; Interfering with or obstructing the performance of the duties of a crew member. These reasons also include actions such as “engaging in raising slogans/protests; tampering with aircraft parts or equipment; unauthorized use of life jackets or tampering with doors/emergency exits; and other types of disorderly conduct.”
