Unruly pax arrested for smoking on board London-Mumbai flight

MUMBAI: In yet another incident of unruly passenger behaviour on board a flight, a flyer was arrested for smoking on board an Air India flight from London to Mumbai last week. Fire onboard an aircraft is unarguably one of the most hazardous occurences midair which is why smoking is strictly prohibition on flights. This was the second `smoking in the aircraft lavatory' incident to occur onboard an Indian carrier last week. The first one happened on an IndiGo domestic flight.
The latest incident occured onboard flight AI-130 which had departed London around 10 pm and landed in Mumbai at 11.30 am on March 10. The Indian-origin US citizen went to the aircraft lavatory to light up, only to be caught by the crew. Not only did he violate the safety norm over smoking prohibition but also behaved aggressively towards passengers and crew, said sources.
“A passenger on our flight operating London-Mumbai was found smoking in the lavatory. Subsequently he behaved in an unruly and aggressive manner, despite repeated warnings," said an Air India spokesperson. "He was handed over to the security personnel upon the flight’s arrival in Mumbai. The regulator has been duly informed of the incident. We are extending all cooperation in the ongoing investigations," the spokesperson said. "Air India follows a zero tolerance policy for any behaviour that compromises the safety and security of passengers and staff," the official added.
A police case has been filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections related to rash and begligent behaviour that endangers human life and Indian Aircraft Act 1937 under the section that deals with smoking, refusal to follow pilot-in-command's order and acts that endanger the good order and discipline onboard aircraft.
In another incident, a 24-year woman was arrested last week for smoking in a lavatory of an IndiGo flight 6E-716 from Kolkata to Bengaluru. The woman, a Bengal resident was handed over to the police on arrival.