Despite increased awareness and deterrent punishments, airlines had to place 37 passengers on no-fly list till July 15 this year following unruly behaviour on board the flight. According to data available with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, 66 passengers were put on the no-fly list in 2021 and 63 in 2022 based on the recommendations of airlines’ internal committees constituted under the provision of the Civil Aviation (Requirement) on unruly passengers.
Earlier, the majority of passengers was placed on no-fly list on account of violations related to wearing masks on board during the COVID-19 period. However, most of the latest cases were related to non-compliance with instructions of the crew, with offences ranging from urinating on co-passengers under the influence of alcohol to verbally abusing the crew for requesting to keep the decorum. According to airline officials, unruly behaviour on board flight is steadily increasing.
Among the airlines, IndiGo and Air India maintain a relatively long list of no-flyers. In 2022, as many as 46 passengers were placed on the no-fly list by IndiGo, whereas Air India put 27 passengers on the list this year till July 15. Since both these airlines account for the majority of operations in the country, they eventually end up with a long list of no-flyers, said industry insiders.
