Air India: US Citizen Caught Smoking In Mumbai-London Flight, Tried To Open Door, Case Registered Against Him

It’s another incident of disruption in an airliner, a passenger on board an Air India flight to Mumbai from London was handed over to security personnel for allegedly smoking in the lavatory and unruly behaviour, the airline said on Sunday.

The passenger is identified as a US citizen, Ramakant. According to the flight crew, the accused also tried to open the door of the flight.

Official statements

The incident, which took place on March 10, has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India said in a statement.

Speaking to the media, the Air India officials said, “A passenger on our flight AI130, operating London-Mumbai on March 10, was found smoking in the lavatory. Subsequently, he behaved in an unruly and aggressive manner, despite repeated warnings.”

The 37-year-old passenger was handed over to security personnel upon the flight’s arrival in Mumbai, the airline said, adding the “regulator has been duly informed of the incident.”

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Case registered against Ramakant

A case was registered against Ramakant in Sahar Police Station for smoking on the flight. His samples were sent for examination to confirm if he was in an inebriated condition or was mentally disturbed.

“We are extending all cooperation in the ongoing investigations,” it added.

It may be mentioned that Tata Group-owned Air India was penalised twice in January this year by the aviation safety regulator DGCA for not reporting two separate incidents of unruly passenger behaviour on its international flights.

Zero tolerance policy

“Air India follows a zero-tolerance policy for any behaviour that compromises the safety and security of passengers and staff,” the airline said in the statement on Sunday.

A similar case was found on March 4. passenger was caught smoking inside the lavatory of a Kolkata-New Delhi Air India flight. The man lit a cigarette inside the washroom, smoke emanating setting off the alarm and alerting the crew. The passenger was handed over to the Delhi police upon landing. The passenger was identified as Anil Meena.