The video of a passenger being dragged off a United Airlines flight raised public attention on how airlines treat their passengers. While carriers around the globe tread on eggshells, Air India has become the first airline to propose levying heavy fines on disruptive flyers.
This state-run company wants to fine unruly passengers 500,000 to 1,500,000 rupees (7,742 to 23,225 US dollars).
An employee said the proposal has been sent for legal approval.
Indian visitors line up to enter an Air India Boeing 777 at the India Aviation 2016 airshow. /VCG Photo
Sudhakara Reddy of consumer rights body the Air Passengers Association of India said the right to impose such fines should be left to the civil aviation ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) instead of an airline.
Currently, no airline in the world is known to levy a fine for disruptive behavior. Most civil aviation regulators, including India's DGCA, allow airlines to physically restrain and offload the passenger, file a criminal police case or ban the flyer from their flights.
US regulator the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has a provision in its Reauthorization Bill under which the FAA, not the airline, can propose a fine up to 25,000 US dollars per violation for unruly passengers. But the FAA has used it sparingly, according to media reports.
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