The Hindu Editorial • February 20, 2026 • Read Original

Overreach during flight: On the DGCA and passenger ban rules

Disruptive behaviour must not be confused with airing of grievances

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The Hindu Read Original

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on February 20, 2026

Overreach during flight: On the DGCA and passenger ban rules

Disruptive behaviour must not be confused with airing of grievances

DGCAAviation RulesPassenger BanFlight SafetyUnruly Behaviour

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 16

English Original

A disturbing phenomenon in aviation is unruly passenger behaviour.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A in

A worrying trend or event happening in the flight industry

Part 2

Describes what the phenomenon currently is

Part 3

passenger behaviour

Bad or wild behavior by people traveling on planes

Sentence 2 of 16

English Original

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has pointed out that in 2023, there was one incident for every 480 flights, from one for every 568 flights in 2022.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The International Air Transport Association (IATA)

The global group that represents most airlines

Part 2

has

Has shown or highlighted through data

Part 3

that in 2023, there was one for every 480 flights, from one for every 568 flights in 2022

That incidents increased from 1 in 568 flights in 2022 to 1 in 480 flights in 2023

Context and Background

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

IATA is a global trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 330 airlines or 80% of total air traffic. It supports many areas of aviation activity and helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues.

Sentence 3 of 16

English Original

In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is proposing to amend rules such that airlines can directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days without referring the matter to the competent authority.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In India

Specifically within the country of India

Part 2

the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

the main government office that controls flight safety and rules in India

Part 3

is suggesting a plan or change

Part 4

to rules such that airlines can directly a flying ban of up to 30 days without referring the matter to the

To change rules so airlines can ban people for 30 days themselves without asking a higher official first

Context and Background

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

The DGCA is the statutory body of the Government of India to regulate civil aviation in India. It primarily deals with safety issues and is responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety, and airworthiness standards.

Sentence 4 of 16

English Original

The DGCA has broadened the concept of unruly behaviour too with six new categories: smoking on board, consumption of alcohol on domestic flights, tampering with emergency exits, unauthorised use of life-saving equipment such as life jackets, engaging in protests or sloganeering, and unruly conduct arising from intoxication.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The DGCA

The aviation regulator of India

Part 2

has

has made wider or more inclusive

Part 3

the concept of unruly behaviour

the idea of what counts as bad behavior by passengers

Part 4

too

as well; also

Part 5

with six new categories: smoking on board, consumption of alcohol on domestic flights, with emergency exits, unauthorised use of life-saving equipment such as life jackets, engaging in protests or , and unruly conduct arising from

By adding six specific types of bad behavior like smoking, drinking on local flights, and protesting

Sentence 5 of 16

English Original

Currently, airlines must report disruptive passengers to an independent committee, headed by a retired district and sessions judge, which will decide within 45 days whether to add them to the official no-fly list.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Currently

Right now, under the existing rules

Part 2

airlines

Companies that operate planes like IndiGo or Air India

Part 3

must report

Are required to officially inform

Part 4

passengers

people on the flight who cause trouble or break rules

Part 5

to an , headed by a retired district and sessions judge, which will decide within 45 days whether to add them to the official

To a separate group of people led by a former judge, who have 45 days to decide if the person should be banned from flying

Sentence 6 of 16

English Original

Unruly behaviour would now be monitored by airlines from the check-in counter although the focus is on the flight since such behaviour can impact passenger safety and comfort.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Unruly behaviour

Bad or disruptive actions by passengers

Part 2

would now be

will be watched or checked under the new plan

Part 3

by airlines

by the companies that fly the planes

Part 4

from the check-in counter

starting from the place where you get your boarding pass

Part 5

although the focus is on the flight since such behaviour can impact passenger safety and comfort

even though the main concern is what happens on the plane because bad behavior can make travel dangerous or unpleasant

Sentence 7 of 16

English Original

It would seem tolerance levels are dipping with several incidents such as attempts to open emergency exits and accessing lifesaving equipment without reason.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The current situation

Part 2

would seem

appears to be; looks like

Part 3

levels are with several such as attempts to open emergency exits and accessing lifesaving equipment without reason

People are becoming less patient, as seen in many cases of people trying to open exits or touching life jackets for no reason

Sentence 8 of 16

English Original

Reports also cite passengers abusing crew and fellow travellers, and the loud chanting of prayers and bhajans.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Reports

News stories or official accounts of what happened

Part 2

also

in addition to what was already mentioned

Part 3

give as an example or mention officially

Part 4

passengers crew and fellow travellers, and the loud of prayers and

cases where people are being mean to flight staff and other passengers, or singing religious songs very loudly

Sentence 9 of 16

English Original

The amendments seek to empower airlines and cabin crew act immediately, unlike before, when such behaviour was overshadowed by lengthy No-Fly List procedures that focused on more serious issues such as national security.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The amendments

The proposed changes to the rules

Part 2

try to; aim to

Part 3

to airlines and cabin crew act immediately

to give the airlines and flight staff the power to take action right away

Part 4

unlike before, when such behaviour was by No-Fly List procedures that focused on more serious issues such as

Different from the past, when these actions were ignored because of long official rules that only cared about big threats like terrorism

Sentence 10 of 16

English Original

Whether the proposed changes would lead to high-handedness and offset the balance of power between passengers and airline staff is a moot point.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Whether the proposed changes would lead to and the balance of power between passengers and airline staff

If the new rules will make airline staff act too bossy and take away the rights of passengers

Part 2

Describes the status of the question

Part 3

something that is debatable or no longer has a clear practical use

Sentence 11 of 16

English Original

Aviation experts stress that the cabin crew’s primary role is for flight safety.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Aviation experts

People who know a lot about the flight industry

Part 2

emphasize or give special importance to

Part 3

that the ’s role is for flight safety

that the most important job of the air hostesses and stewards is to keep the flight safe

Sentence 12 of 16

English Original

However, a credible argument against the proposed amendments would cite the IndiGo fiasco where the airline’s response to pilot deployment rules was found to be influenced by revenue considerations, leading to much anger among passengers.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

However

But; on the other hand

Part 2

a argument against the proposed amendments

a believable or strong reason to dislike the new rules

Part 3

would cite

would use as an example

Part 4

the IndiGo where the airline’s response to pilot deployment rules was found to be influenced by , leading to much anger among passengers

the disaster at IndiGo where the airline cared more about money than following pilot rest rules, which made many people very angry

Context and Background

IndiGo

In late 2025, IndiGo faced severe criticism for flight cancellations due to a pilot shortage. This happened because the airline struggled to implement new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue. Critics alleged that the airline prioritized profit (revenue) over pilot well-being and flight safety, causing widespread passenger anger.

Sentence 13 of 16

English Original

It would seem that the amendments would empower airlines against “unruly” behaviour arising from legitimate anger over unfair practices too.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The situation; the likely outcome

Part 2

would seem

appears to be; looks like

Part 3

that the amendments would empower airlines against “unruly” behaviour arising from anger over too

that these rule changes could give airlines power to silence even direct complaints from passengers who are rightly angry about bad service

Sentence 14 of 16

English Original

So, while the amendments may be necessary in the overall interest of flight safety and a smooth passenger experience, they should not serve other purposes such as deflecting passenger grievances.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Therefore; as a result of these points

Part 2

while the amendments may be necessary in the overall interest of flight safety and a smooth passenger experience

Even though these rule changes might be needed to keep passengers safe and travel comfortable

Part 3

they

the proposed amendments or rule changes

Part 4

should not serve

must not be used for; ought not to result in

Part 5

other purposes

different goals that are not the main reason

Part 6

such as passenger

like ignoring or turning away people’s honest complaints

Sentence 15 of 16

English Original

One safeguard would be to make a distinction between “unruly” behaviour on the ground versus disruptive behaviour during flight.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

One

One way to protect passengers from unfair treatment

Part 2

would be

could be; is suggested to be

Part 3

to make a between “unruly” behaviour on the ground disruptive behaviour during flight

to treat bad behavior at the airport differently from dangerous behavior while the plane is in the air

Sentence 16 of 16

English Original

Safeguards are needed to allow redress against airline overreach.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Safeguards

Rules or protections

Part 2

are needed

must be put in place

Part 3

to allow against airline

to let passengers get justice if an airline uses its power unfairly

Sentence 1 of 16

Sentences Breakdown

Editorial Summary

5-Point Summary

1 The DGCA is proposing new rules to allow airlines to impose a direct 30-day flying ban on unruly passengers without immediate committee review.
2 Global aviation data from IATA shows a concerning rise in disruptive passenger behavior incidents between 2022 and 2023.
3 The proposed amendments expand the definition of unruly behavior to include smoking, unauthorized use of safety equipment, and sloganeering.
4 Critics worry that giving airlines more power could lead to high-handedness and the suppression of legitimate passenger grievances.
5 The editorial argues for clear safeguards to distinguish between ground-level unruly behavior and actual in-flight safety threats to prevent airline overreach.

Tone of the Editorial

Critical

Why this tone?

The editorial takes a critical stance toward the DGCA’s proposal to grant airlines unilateral power to ban passengers. While acknowledging the rise in unruly behavior, it uses terms like “overreach,” “high-handedness,” and “fiasco” to warn about the potential misuse of these rules against passengers with legitimate complaints.

Sentence 1 of 16

A disturbing phenomenon in aviation is unruly passenger behaviour.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A disturbing phenomenon in aviation

A worrying trend or event happening in the flight industry

Part 2

Describes what the phenomenon currently is

Part 3

unruly passenger behaviour

Bad or wild behavior by people traveling on planes

Sentence 2 of 16

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has pointed out that in 2023, there was one incident for every 480 flights, from one for every 568 flights in 2022.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The International Air Transport Association (IATA)

The global group that represents most airlines

Part 2

has pointed out

Has shown or highlighted through data

Part 3

that in 2023, there was one incident for every 480 flights, from one for every 568 flights in 2022

That incidents increased from 1 in 568 flights in 2022 to 1 in 480 flights in 2023

Sentence 3 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In India

Specifically within the country of India

Part 2

the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

the main government office that controls flight safety and rules in India

Part 3

is proposing

is suggesting a plan or change

Part 4

to amend rules such that airlines can directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days without referring the matter to the competent authority

To change rules so airlines can ban people for 30 days themselves without asking a higher official first

Sentence 4 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The DGCA

The aviation regulator of India

Part 2

has broadened

has made wider or more inclusive

Part 3

the concept of unruly behaviour

the idea of what counts as bad behavior by passengers

Part 4

too

as well; also

Part 5

with six new categories: smoking on board, consumption of alcohol on domestic flights, tampering with emergency exits, unauthorised use of life-saving equipment such as life jackets, engaging in protests or sloganeering, and unruly conduct arising from intoxication

By adding six specific types of bad behavior like smoking, drinking on local flights, and protesting

Sentence 5 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Currently

Right now, under the existing rules

Part 2

airlines

Companies that operate planes like IndiGo or Air India

Part 3

must report

Are required to officially inform

Part 4

disruptive passengers

people on the flight who cause trouble or break rules

Part 5

to an independent committee, headed by a retired district and sessions judge, which will decide within 45 days whether to add them to the official no-fly list

To a separate group of people led by a former judge, who have 45 days to decide if the person should be banned from flying

Sentence 6 of 16

Unruly behaviour would now be monitored by airlines from the check-in counter although the focus is on the flight since such behaviour can impact passenger safety and comfort.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Unruly behaviour

Bad or disruptive actions by passengers

Part 2

would now be monitored

will be watched or checked under the new plan

Part 3

by airlines

by the companies that fly the planes

Part 4

from the check-in counter

starting from the place where you get your boarding pass

Part 5

although the focus is on the flight since such behaviour can impact passenger safety and comfort

even though the main concern is what happens on the plane because bad behavior can make travel dangerous or unpleasant

Sentence 7 of 16

It would seem tolerance levels are dipping with several incidents such as attempts to open emergency exits and accessing lifesaving equipment without reason.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The current situation

Part 2

would seem

appears to be; looks like

Part 3

tolerance levels are dipping with several incidents such as attempts to open emergency exits and accessing lifesaving equipment without reason

People are becoming less patient, as seen in many cases of people trying to open exits or touching life jackets for no reason

Sentence 8 of 16

Reports also cite passengers abusing crew and fellow travellers, and the loud chanting of prayers and bhajans.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Reports

News stories or official accounts of what happened

Part 2

also

in addition to what was already mentioned

Part 3

cite

give as an example or mention officially

Part 4

passengers abusing crew and fellow travellers, and the loud chanting of prayers and bhajans

cases where people are being mean to flight staff and other passengers, or singing religious songs very loudly

Sentence 9 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The amendments

The proposed changes to the rules

Part 2

seek

try to; aim to

Part 3

to empower airlines and cabin crew act immediately

to give the airlines and flight staff the power to take action right away

Part 4

unlike before, when such behaviour was overshadowed by lengthy No-Fly List procedures that focused on more serious issues such as national security

Different from the past, when these actions were ignored because of long official rules that only cared about big threats like terrorism

Sentence 10 of 16

Whether the proposed changes would lead to high-handedness and offset the balance of power between passengers and airline staff is a moot point.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Whether the proposed changes would lead to high-handedness and offset the balance of power between passengers and airline staff

If the new rules will make airline staff act too bossy and take away the rights of passengers

Part 2

Describes the status of the question

Part 3

a moot point

something that is debatable or no longer has a clear practical use

Sentence 11 of 16

Aviation experts stress that the cabin crew’s primary role is for flight safety.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Aviation experts

People who know a lot about the flight industry

Part 2

stress

emphasize or give special importance to

Part 3

that the cabin crew’s primary role is for flight safety

that the most important job of the air hostesses and stewards is to keep the flight safe

Sentence 12 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

However

But; on the other hand

Part 2

a credible argument against the proposed amendments

a believable or strong reason to dislike the new rules

Part 3

would cite

would use as an example

Part 4

the IndiGo fiasco where the airline’s response to pilot deployment rules was found to be influenced by revenue considerations, leading to much anger among passengers

the disaster at IndiGo where the airline cared more about money than following pilot rest rules, which made many people very angry

Sentence 13 of 16

It would seem that the amendments would empower airlines against “unruly” behaviour arising from legitimate anger over unfair practices too.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The situation; the likely outcome

Part 2

would seem

appears to be; looks like

Part 3

that the amendments would empower airlines against “unruly” behaviour arising from legitimate anger over unfair practices too

that these rule changes could give airlines power to silence even direct complaints from passengers who are rightly angry about bad service

Sentence 14 of 16

So, while the amendments may be necessary in the overall interest of flight safety and a smooth passenger experience, they should not serve other purposes such as deflecting passenger grievances.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Therefore; as a result of these points

Part 2

while the amendments may be necessary in the overall interest of flight safety and a smooth passenger experience

Even though these rule changes might be needed to keep passengers safe and travel comfortable

Part 3

they

the proposed amendments or rule changes

Part 4

should not serve

must not be used for; ought not to result in

Part 5

other purposes

different goals that are not the main reason

Part 6

such as deflecting passenger grievances

like ignoring or turning away people’s honest complaints

Sentence 15 of 16

One safeguard would be to make a distinction between “unruly” behaviour on the ground versus disruptive behaviour during flight.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

One safeguard

One way to protect passengers from unfair treatment

Part 2

would be

could be; is suggested to be

Part 3

to make a distinction between “unruly” behaviour on the ground versus disruptive behaviour during flight

to treat bad behavior at the airport differently from dangerous behavior while the plane is in the air

Sentence 16 of 16

Safeguards are needed to allow redress against airline overreach.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Safeguards

Rules or protections

Part 2

are needed

must be put in place

Part 3

to allow redress against airline overreach

to let passengers get justice if an airline uses its power unfairly

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - Passenger Ban Rules

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the DGCA's proposed flying ban rules for unruly passengers.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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Challenging Vocabulary 161 Idioms and Phrases 113 Phrasal Verbs 54

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Overreach during flight: On the DGCA and passenger ban rules

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