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NEW DELHI: Smoking on board an aircraft, with lavatories being one of the favourite places for this illegal act, could soon get one arrested and also put on the no-fly list. Continuously kicking seat backs/tray tables, tampering with emergency exits, playing with life jackets or on-board protests, too, could invite the same action under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) proposed regulations to deal with unruly flyers. The duration of being barred from flying can last up to a lifetime, based on the gravity of the offence. The draft rules say that if a passenger indulges in any of the acts specified under four categories of ‘unruly behaviour’, “he/she is likely to be breaking the law and could be arrested on arrival at the destination, or at any other airport where the aircraft commander may choose to land”. These clauses include consumption of, or being under the influence of, alcoholic beverages or drugs, resulting in unruly behaviour; smoking or use of electronic smoking devices on board the aircraft; failure to obey the instructions of the pilot-in-command; use of threatening or abusive language towards a crew member or any other passenger; resorting to physical assault, threat or disorderly behaviour; and interfering with or obstructing the performance of the duties of a crew member. Also covered under these cause are actions such as “engaging in sloganeering/protest; tampering with the aircraft parts or equipment, unauthorised use of life jackets or tampering of doors/emergency exits; and other types of riotous behaviour”.
