The Supreme Court of India is considering stricter regulations for unruly airline passengers after a petition from a woman who faced harassment during a flight. Justice Viswanathan recounted a troubling experience with intoxicated passengers, emphasizing the need for new protocols. The court plans to reevaluate existing guidelines to enhance passenger safety and align with international standards.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India is deliberating on stricter regulations to tackle incidents involving unruly passengers on flights, following a petition inspired by a harrowing mid-air incident. During the hearing, Justice KV Viswanathan shared a personal experience with disruptive co-passengers, shedding light on the urgent need for revised protocols in aviation.
Recalling a recent flight with Justice Surya Kant, Justice Viswanathan narrated an unsettling episode involving two intoxicated male passengers.
“There were two totally drunk male passengers. One locked himself in the toilet and slept, and the other went out with a vomit bag,” he said.
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He further explained that the flight had an all-women crew who refrained from opening the toilet, leaving a co-passenger to intervene. Emphasizing the gravity of such situations, Justice Viswanathan suggested that “something creative” like “strategic seating” might mitigate similar occurrences in the future.
The bench, also comprising Justice BR Gavai, adjourned the matter for eight weeks, instructing Additional Solicitor General Aiswarya Bhati to engage with relevant authorities to reassess and possibly revamp the guidelines for managing unruly passengers. The court emphasized the importance of aligning domestic practices with international standards to enhance passenger safety and experience.
The hearing stems from a petition filed by a 72-year-old woman who endured a deeply distressing experience on a New York-to-New Delhi Air India flight.
A drunk co-passenger allegedly urinated on her, prompting her to approach the Supreme Court after Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation failed to respond adequately. The petitioner has demanded the creation of a robust Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to handle unruly passengers effectively.
The petitioner also criticized the media’s role in handling such incidents.
“The wide-ranging national press reportage full of conjecture and surmises has severely undermined the petitioner’s rights as a victim under Article 21 of the Constitution,”
she stated. She argued that selective leaks of her complaint and witness statements have not only impacted her but also violated the accused’s rights to a fair trial.
Highlighting the lack of clear media guidelines, the petition argued that unchecked conjectures during sub-judice matters create prejudices that harm all parties involved. The petitioner urged the court to recognize the broader impact of media narratives on public perception and judicial fairness.
The petitioner clarified that her appeal is motivated by public interest.
“This is a sincere attempt to set up a framework within the airline industry so that such incidents are prevented, and if they do occur, they are dealt with in a manner that does not cause additional trauma to the passengers,”
she stated. Her plea underscores the need for comprehensive reforms that address gaps in passenger safety and ensure accountability across the aviation sector.
The Supreme Court’s directive to reevaluate existing guidelines with global practices in mind signals a step toward better managing passenger behavior and ensuring in-flight safety. As the aviation industry grapples with rising reports of unruly behavior, the case could pave the way for significant policy changes to safeguard passengers and crew alike.
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