‘Report Unruly Passengers’: DGCA Adopts ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy Towards In-Flight Misconduct

Last Updated:February 19, 2026, 08:28 IST

DGCA said “no-fly rules” will apply to all passengers during the period of air travel to or from India.

Unruly flyers, beware. India has adopted a “no tolerance" or “zero tolerance" policy with immediate effect for misbehaviour or indiscipline during air travel. The  Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed the airlines to report such passengers. 

The aviation regulator said the move is aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft, people and property, and at maintaining good order and discipline on board.

What DGCA said?

The DGCA has also issued draft rules on how airlines must handle such passengers on aircraft.

Under the changes proposed by DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, airlines will now be required to put in place procedures to deal with unruly passengers both at the airport and on board the aircraft. The SOP on this will be communicated throughout the organisation and especially to all employees who are in direct contact with passengers, both on the ground and on the aircraft.

The draft also states that the “no-fly rules" will apply to all passengers during the period of air travel to or from India. This means that this rule is not just limited to Indian carriers and airports, the rules will also apply to unruly passengers travelling on foreign airlines on flights to and from India, if those carriers report the matter.

Four levels of unruly behaviour

The draft classifies unruly conduct into four categories:

Level 1: Unruly behaviour such as physical gestures, verbal harassment and disruptive drunken conduct.

Level 2: Physically abusive actions including pushing, kicking, hitting, grabbing, inappropriate touching or sexual harassment.

Level 3: Life-threatening behaviour, including damage to aircraft operating systems and serious physical violence such as choking, eye gouging or attempted murder.

Level 4: Attempted or actual breach of the flight crew compartment.

News india ‘Report Unruly Passengers’: DGCA Adopts ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy Towards In-Flight Misconduct

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