Can't be proud of no-fly list

India is the first country to have a no-fly list, but should we be proud of this? The amended Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) regulation, which is already in force, was engendered by the runaway “VIP rage” syndrome afflicting the country. This shaming list was brought upon the country by unruly VIP air travellers like the Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who put up an impossible demand of a business class seat in an all-economy aircraft and the Telugu Desam MP Diwakar Reddy, who created a ruckus at an airport when denied boarding since he was late. If they were to repeat their antics, the two can now be banned for a period ranging from three months to lifetime. It is, however, strange that other domestic carriers will not be bound by the no-fly list of any particular airline. 

The regulations do not stop with this lacuna. The staff of airlines are exempted from being featured on such a list even if they are guilty of provoking the “flying rage” of passengers. Airlines tend to often put passengers under stress. The delays could be for genuine operational reasons, but the airline crew can be unsympathetic. They can go scot free under the new regulations unless one files a complaint to the aviation ministry’s “Air Sewa” web portal or DGCA. Of course, a fair hearing in all such matters is a must before passengers or crew are penalised. Respect for the etiquette of flying must be ingrained in both parties.