DGCA imposes ₹10 Lac fine on Air India for not reporting passenger misbehaviour

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) fined Air India Rs 10 lakh for failing to report incidences of passenger misbehaviour to the regulatory authority and failing to submit the matter to its Internal Committee. According to the aviation agency, the incident is a breach of the applicable DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements.

In a statement, the DGCA stated that action was taken in response to an incident of passenger misbehaviour that occurred on the AI-142 flight from Paris to New Delhi on December 6, 2022, when one passenger was caught smoking in the lavatory, was drunk, and did not follow crew instructions; and another passenger allegedly relieved himself on a vacant seat and blanket of a fellow female passenger when she went to the lavatory.

The DGCA has issued a show cause notice to Air India’s Accountable Manager, asking why enforcement action should not be taken against them for failing to meet their regulatory duties. On January 23, Air India responded to the show cause notice, which was reviewed.