`Use restraining devices`: DGCA to airlines for handling unruly passengers amid Air India urination incident

DGCA has issued new guidelines for airlines considering the recent Air India `urination` incident and warned airline staff of action if they failed to take action against unruly passengers.

Indian aviation watchdog DGCA has taken note of the Air India peeing incident and has issued an advisory for the airlines on handling unruly passengers. The guidelines of DGCA warn the airline staff of action if they fail to take necessary action against the passengers who behave inappropriately on the flight. In the statement, DGCA said, "In the recent past, DGCA has noticed a few incidents of unruly behavior 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 added, "Non-action/ inappropriate action/omission by the airlines towards such untoward incidents has tarnished the image of air travel in different segments of society".

The statement said, "Responsibilities of Pilots: Sub Rule (2) of Rule 141 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 states that the Pilot in command is responsible for the safety of the passenger and cargo carried and for the maintenance of flight discipline and safety of the members of the crew in addition to being responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight."

The DGCA sent notifications to the crew of the New York-Delhi flight and officials of Air India on Thursday, asking why no action should be taken against them for "dereliction" of duty in managing the "urination" event on November 26.

On November 26 of last year, an allegedly drunken man urinated on his female co-passenger, a senior woman in her seventies, in business class on an Air India aircraft from New York to Delhi. The agency claims that it appears initially that rules regarding how to handle rowdy passengers were not followed.