Passengers who do not wear masks on flight can now to be removed: DGCA

June 8: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 8 directed airports and airlines to ensure that strict COVID-19 protocol, including wearing a face mask at all time is followed. The DGCA has asked airports and airlines to treat passengers refusing to wear masks or violating COVID-19 protocol as “Unruly Passengers.”  The order by the DGCA comes just a few days after the Delhi High Court stressed for strict implementation of Covid-19 guidelines at airports. Asserting that the mask, which is already a norm on flights, the bench said that it is meant to reduce the Covid threat, pointing out that one can take it off while eating or drinking.

In its order today, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said: “The Airline shall ensure that in case any passenger does not adhere to instructions even after repeated warnings, he/she should be de-boarded, if need be, before departure.”

Airlines and airports have to sensitize passengers on all precautionary measures to be taken by them through websites, travel agents, call centers, displays and regular announcements, said the DGCA. The regulator has also asked airlines and airports to ensure that extra face masks are provided to passengers in case of an emergency.