A man who assaulted two female flight attendants on a Delhi to London flight on April 10 has been given a two-year flying ban by Air India, a source said on Friday.
On the basis of a complaint made by the supervisor of the cabin crew for Air India, the Delhi police has opened an investigation into the passenger, identified as 25-year old Jaskirat Singh Padda from Punjab.
An internal committee formed by Air India in response to the incident unanimously determined that the person does not merit a lenient view and prohibited him from flying with the airline for a period of two years, according to sources.
The person action were considered to be level 3 category offences, there was no immediate comment from Air India.
According to DGCA regulations, disruptive passenger behaviour can be categorised into three levels, with each level carrying a different length of flight restriction.
Physically abusive behaviour, such as shoving, kicking, or sexual harassment, is categorised as level 2 whereas disorderly behaviour, such as physical gestures verbal abuse, and uncontrollable intoxication, are categorised as level 1.
Level 3 behaviour includes life threatening actions like deadly attack, suffocation, and physical violence against aircraft operating systems.
The length of a passenger’s flight ban may be determined by an internal committee formed by the airline in question based on the severity of the disorderly behaviour.
The Delhi Police said on April 10 that the disruptive customer was observed attempting to open an aeroplane door after an hour of flying. citing a complaint from the supervisor of the Air India cabin crew.
She and her co-worker attempted to stop him, but he used profane words and threatened to strike them.
He then turned violent, striking her on the neck hard until she collapsed to the ground. He then yanked the other crew member’s hair after which he stuck her in the face.
The Delhi Police claimed in a statement on April 10 that “thereafter, he was restrained with the assistance on other crew member and passengers”.
Three hours after taking off, the Air India flight from Delhi to London returned to the national capital after the incident, and the disruptive passenger was deplaned.
