Air India gets show cause notice over two 'passenger misbehaviour' cases in Paris-Delhi flight

New Delhi, January 9: The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to Air India's Accountable Manager on Monday after two incidents of passenger misbehaviour on the airline's AI-142 flight from Paris to New Delhi on December 6 last year were brought to the regulator's attention.

The show cause notice asked why enforcement action "should not be taken against them for dereliction of their regulatory obligations".

One passenger was caught smoking in the bathroom while drunk and not listening to the crew. When a fellow female passenger went to the restroom, another passenger allegedly relieved himself on her vacant seat and blanket. According to a DGCA press release, Air India did not report the incident until the DGCA ordered it 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 stated.

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DGCA asserted that it has been noted that the response of the airline has been "lackadaisical and delayed".

"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."

Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section -3, Series-M, Part-VI on 'Handling of Unruly Passenger' and Cabin Safety Circular 02 of 2010 on 'Unruly Passengers/Passenger Rage/Passenger Misconduct incidents reporting procedure,' have been issued by the DGCA.