The Civil Aviation Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, emphatically declared on Monday that “unruly passenger behavior is intolerable,” in response to an incident wherein a passenger physically assaulted an IndiGo pilot while an announcement about a flight delay was in progress. According to the Delhi Police, the said passenger has been apprehended.
In a post on a platform denoted as X, Minister Scindia conveyed that all involved parties are diligently collaborating to mitigate the consequences of disruptions caused by fog. In the aftermath of the pilot assault incident at Delhi airport on Sunday, the minister asserted resolutely that such misconduct would be addressed robustly, aligning with the existing legal provisions.
Scindia further proclaimed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will be formulating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airlines to enhance communication and passenger facilitation. The objective is to mitigate the discomfort arising from flight cancellations and delays attributable to adverse weather conditions.
The operations at Delhi airport witnessed substantial disruptions on Sunday due to dense fog, resulting in the diversion, cancellation, and delay of numerous flights. The ramifications of these disturbances extend beyond Delhi, creating a cascading impact and causing delays nationwide.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that pilots, crew, and airlines bear no culpability for the inconveniences stemming from flight delays. A more considerate approach from passengers could offer a more rational perspective.
In response to the assault incident involving an IndiGo pilot, the airline has taken prompt action by instituting an internal committee. This committee is tasked with determining appropriate measures, which include deliberating on the potential inclusion of the accused passenger, Sahil Kataria, in the ‘No Fly List’ due to unruly behavior.