A passenger onboard an Amritsar-Delhi Air India flight on Saturday misbehaved and engaged in verbal altercation with a co-passenger minutes before the plane was to land in the national capital. He was handed over to the airport security after landing at the Delhi airport.

The incident took place in flight AI454, when cabin crew member notices a passenger standing in the aisle. He was engaged in a verbal altercation with another flyer minutes before landing, Air India said in a statement.

“The second passenger reported to the crew that the individual was being abusive,” the airline said in a statement.

Air India said that the cabin crew immediately de-escalated the situation by relocating the second passenger to a business class seat for the duration of the landing.

Following this, the second passenger made a complaint, which prompted the pilot-in-command to notify the airline’s security team on the ground about the situation. The security team was already present at the Delhi airport when the flight landed.

“The disruptive passenger was handed over to the airport security for further investigation,” Air India said, adding that it will fully cooperate with the relevant authorities. 

“Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive behaviour and prioritises the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew. We will fully cooperate with the relevant authorities and the matter is now under their purview,” Air India spokesperson said.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules mandate internal probe and no-fly list for unruly passenges on board. Airlines are required to establish an internal committee responsible for determining suitable measures, which can include adding the passenger to a no-fly list.

As per DGCA rules, the airline must first inform the passenger that their behaviour is unacceptable and may lead to arrest or other consequences. If the situation is out of the cabin crew’s control, the pilot can land at the nearest airport where the flyer can be handed over to the security.

The complaint must be filed by the pilot-in-command, which is reviewed by an internal committee set up by the airline. The airline can impose an immediate flying ban of up to 30 days on the passenger pending the committee’s decision.

Passengers banned from flying can appeal within 60 days to an appellate committee headed by a retired High Court judge. Further appeals can be made to the High Court.