DGCA leaves alcohol limit decision to airlines following ‘Pee-Gate’ Incidents

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has clarified that each airline has the discretion to set limits on alcoholic drinks served onboard, following incidents similar to the ‘pee-gate’ occurrences on Air India flights in late 2022. There is no uniform rule enforced by the airlines’ regulatory body, leaving the policy up to the discretion of individual airlines.

In response to a petition by a 72-year-old woman who experienced an unruly passenger urinating on her during a New York-Delhi flight, the DGCA informed the Supreme Court that Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) are in place to handle unruly passengers. However, specific guidelines on alcohol consumption vary among airlines.

According to Clause 4.3 of CAR, airlines have the authority to formulate policies to prevent passengers from becoming excessively intoxicated, which may lead to disruptive behaviour. The decision aims to minimize the risk of passengers causing nuisance due to inebriation.

The petitioner urged the apex court to direct the aviation regulatory body to establish a ‘zero tolerance’ standard operating procedure (SOP) to address onboard unruly behaviour effectively. She criticized the Air India crew’s handling of the incident, alleging that they negligently managed the situation and pressured her into settling with the accused passenger without involving law enforcement authorities.

The petitioner emphasized the need for the DGCA to classify drunkenness as unruly or disruptive behaviour on an aircraft to ensure the safety and dignity of passengers.

The DGCA’s affirmation highlights the importance of airlines implementing measures to regulate alcohol consumption onboard to prevent similar incidents in the future. 

However, the lack of a standardized policy underscores the need for consistent enforcement and vigilance across all airlines to maintain passenger safety and comfort.