India / Airlines must de-board any passenger if they refuse to wear face mask inside an aircraft DGCA

New Delhi : Aviation regulator DGCA said on Wednesday that a passenger who does not wear a face mask despite repeated warnings should be deboarded. In addition to this, airport operators should seek the help of local police and security agencies and fine those not wearing face masks, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a circular directing airlines.

This circular has come after an order of the Delhi High Court on June 3. In fact, the Delhi High Court on Friday directed strict action against passengers violating rules related to wearing of masks and hand washing at airports and aircraft. Along with this, the court said that the Kovid-19 epidemic is not over yet and is raising its head continuously.

The court said that not only should a case be registered against those who violate the rules related to prevention of Kovid-19, but they should also be fined. The court said such people should be put on the 'no-fly' (prohibited flight) list. The High Court made it clear that adequate stringency is necessary to ensure compliance with the rules.

The DGCA's circular on Wednesday said airlines should ensure that passengers wear masks properly on aircraft and they are removed from the faces only "in exceptional circumstances and for permissible reasons". If a passenger requires an additional face mask, the airline must provide it. "The airline shall ensure that if a passenger does not comply with the above instructions despite repeated warnings, he/she should be de-boarded, if necessary, prior to departure," the notice said.

The circular states that if a passenger refuses to wear a mask or violates the COVID-19 protocol despite repeated warnings in the middle of the flight, he will be treated as an "uncontrolled passenger" as defined in the DGCA rules. should be considered as DGCA rules empower airlines to restrict passengers for a certain period after they are declared "uncontrolled".

It said that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other police personnel deployed at the airport entrance should ensure that no one is allowed to enter the premises without wearing a mask. All airport operators should increase announcements and surveillance to ensure that passengers at the terminal wear face masks properly and follow COVID-appropriate behavior at all times within airport premises.