DGCA issues show cause notice to Air India in 2 ‘passenger misbehaviour’ cases

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to Air India’s Accountable Manager on Monday after the regulator became aware of two incidences of passenger misconduct on the airline’s AI-142 aircraft from Paris to New Delhi on December 6, last year.

The show cause notice said why enforcement action “should not be taken against them for dereliction of their regulatory obligations

One passenger was discovered smoking in the restroom, was inebriated, and was not paying attention to the staff.

When a fellow female traveller went to the restroom, another passenger allegedly relieved himself on an unoccupied seat and blanket. According to a DGCA news statement, Air India did not disclose the event until the DGCA requested the incident report from them on January 5.

“After perusal of the reply submitted by Air India through email dated January 6, prima facie it emerges that provisions related to the handling of unruly passengers as per DGCA CAR Section -3, Series-M, Part-VI have not been complied with,” the press release said.

DGCA said It has been highlighted that the response of the airline has been “lackadaisical and slow”.
“In view of this, DGCA has issued Show Cause notice to Accountable Manager of M/s Air India as to why enforcement action should not be taken against them for dereliction of their regulatory obligations. However, to follow the principles of natural justice, they have been given two weeks time to submit their reply to DGCA and based on that further action will be taken,” the release said.

Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section -3, Series-M, Part-VI on ‘Handling of Unruly Passengers’ and Cabin Safety Circular 02 of 2010 on ‘Unruly Passengers/Passenger Rage/Passenger Misconduct Incidents Reporting Procedure’ have been published by the DGCA.