'Use restraining measures on unruly passengers': Aviation regulator directs airlines after peeing incident

The direction comes in the wake of widespread outrage over a passenger urinating on another on a recent Air India flight.

Restraining measures may be used on unruly passengers "when all conciliatory approaches have been exhausted", the DGCA said, listing a number of such actions that flight crew need to take during such encounters.

"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," it said.

"Non-action/ inappropriate action/ omission by the airlines towards such untoward incidents has tarnished the image of air travel in different segments of society... Any non-compliance towards applicable regulations shall be dealt with strictly and invite enforcement action," the DGCA added.

The aviation regulator said the pilot in command will be responsible for assessing a situation and relaying information to the airline's central control on the ground for further action.

"Upon landing of the aircraft, airline representative shall lodge FIR with the concerned security agency at aerodrome, to whom, the unruly passenger shall be handed over," it said.

On Nov 26, Mumbai businessman Shankar Mishra allegedly unzipped and urinated on an elderly woman in the business class of an Air India flight from New York to Delhi.

To everyone's shock, when the flight landed, Shankar Mishra was allowed to leave without any repercussions.

Air India didn't complain to the police until this week, only after the woman's letter to the group chairman of Air India, N Chandrasekaran, surfaced.

Reacting to the same, DGCA earlier issued notice to some officials of the Tata Group-owned airline, the pilot of the flight and the crew, asking them to reply within two weeks.

"... it emerges that provisions related to the handling of an unruly passenger on-board have not been complied with," the DGCA said in a statement.

"The conduct of the concerned airline appears to be unprofessional and has led to a systemic failure."

"Prima facie it lacks appreciation of regulatory obligations as described in applicable Aircraft Rules 1937, Civil Aviation Requirements on 'Handling of Unruly Passengers', Cabin Safety Circular, Air India Operations Manual, Air India Safety and Emergency Procedure Manual and Air India Quick Reference Handbook and is devoid of empathy," the statement added.

The offender has been banned from flying on Air India for 30 days, pending a report from its Internal Committee.

In defence, the airline had said as there was "no further flare-up or confrontation", and "respecting the perceived wishes of the female passenger, the crew elected not to summon law enforcement upon landing".