Amid rise in passenger misconduct, over 375 placed on no‑fly list in 5 years: Govt

India’s civil aviation sector has toughened its stance on unruly passengers, with over 375 persons grounded under the national ‘No-Fly List’ over the last five years. The government confirmed the figures in response to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha, offering a glimpse into the scale of passenger misbehaviour and the regulatory action it has prompted.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol on Tuesday informed the Parliament that the year 2023 recorded the highest number of such bans, with 110 passengers barred from flying. The figure dropped to 82 in 2024 and stands at 48 so far in 2025, till the end of July.

In comparison, only 10 passengers were added to the list in 2020, a pandemic-hit year with severely restricted air travel. The numbers rose steadily thereafter: 66 in 2021 and 63 in 2022.

The No-Fly List, administered as per the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on handling unruly or disruptive passengers, categorises misconduct into three levels. Level 1 involves verbal harassment or inappropriate behaviour and attracts a ban of up to three months. Level 2, covering physically abusive behaviour, can lead to a six-month ban. Level 3 includes actions deemed life-threatening or severely hazardous, and carries a minimum ban of two years, with no upper limit on duration.

The list is maintained centrally and enforced across all Indian carriers. Once a passenger is reported for misconduct, the airline is required to constitute an internal committee to examine the evidence and decide on the appropriate level of penalty. The process is governed by timelines and appeal options laid out in the CAR.

Though the ministry refrained from revealing the identities or detailed conduct of the offenders, aviation insiders suggest the bulk of the cases involve alcohol-induced aggression, refusal to follow crew instructions, verbal abuse, and in some cases, assault or threats to safety.

The sharp rise in 2023 corresponded with several high-profile incidents that made headlines, prompting stricter oversight from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The government’s firm approach is also seen as part of a larger effort to align with international aviation norms, where maintaining cabin discipline has become a top priority for safety regulators.

However, India’s No-Fly List still lacks the transparency of its Western counterparts, as per industry experts. While the list exists, it is not made public, nor are case-wise details readily accessible. Experts have pointed out the need for a more structured appeals process and better protection for whistle-blowers, including crew members who report such incidents.