447 Passengers Banned From Flying In India Since 2017

A recent incident on a Kochi-bound international flight has highlighted the growing concern of air passenger misconduct in India. On August 19, 2026, a 36-year-old passenger on Batik Air flight OD-231 attempted to force open the emergency exit door while the aircraft was cruising, causing panic among over a hundred passengers.

The passenger, seated in row 12A, broke the emergency exit window panel using his foot and began verbally threatening fellow travellers and crew members. Cabin crew members, aided by quick-thinking passengers, managed to restrain the individual using zip ties and secured him for the remainder of the flight.

The aircraft landed safely at Cochin International Airport, where security personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) immediately boarded the plane, took the suspect into custody, and handed him over to local police. The accused was subsequently booked under the Aircraft Act for endangering aircraft safety, alongside charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal intimidation.

According to official data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, a total of 447 passengers have been placed on the national 'No Fly List' since the framework's inception in 2017. These instances of unruly and objectionable behaviour include breaking aircraft windows and misbehaviour with staff and other passengers, which pose a threat to the safety of passengers and aircraft.

The rules for handling unruly or disruptive passengers are framed under the Civil Aviation Requirements Section-3 of Air Transport, which mandates maintenance of good order, discipline, and proper safety onboard. Under the cabin safety circular of 2025, airlines are required to report any incident of passenger misconduct or unruly behaviour via email within 12 hours of occurrence, and a comprehensive written report must be submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) within 24 hours of the aircraft landing.

Unruly behaviour is classified into three severity levels, each carrying varying ban durations. While verbal harassment, disruptive behaviour, or refusal to follow crew instructions fall under misconduct level-1, it attracts a potential ban of up to three months. Physical abuse, inappropriate touching, or other severe forms of misconduct can lead to longer ban durations.

The DGCA introduced strict regulations to manage unruly travellers in 2017, and since then, the number of passengers banned from flying has been steadily increasing. The incident on the Kochi-bound flight is a stark reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of these regulations and the importance of maintaining safety and discipline onboard aircraft.

The growing menace of passenger rage is a concern for airlines, regulatory bodies, and passengers alike. As the number of air travellers continues to grow, it is essential to address this issue and ensure that air travel remains safe and enjoyable for all.

In conclusion, the incident on the Kochi-bound flight highlights the need for stricter enforcement of regulations and the importance of maintaining safety and discipline onboard aircraft. The DGCA and airlines must work together to prevent such incidents and ensure that air travel remains safe and enjoyable for all.

The increasing number of passengers banned from flying is a clear indication that the problem of unruly behaviour on flights is escalating. It is essential to address this issue and find ways to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

The safety and security of air travellers are of utmost importance, and it is the responsibility of regulatory bodies, airlines, and passengers to ensure that air travel remains safe and enjoyable for all.