AirAsia incident: Airline says it follows standard procedure for disruptive passengers

The AirAsia Authorities on Friday released a statement over an incident that took place on November 3 on flight I5 1585 from Ranchi to Bengaluru via Hyderabad stating that they followed the standard operating procedures for disruptive passengers.

In a statement, AirAsia spokesperson said, "This is with regard to a recent news story involving AirAsia India about an incident that took place on November 3 on flight I5 1585 from Ranchi to Bengaluru via Hyderabad. This matter was dealt with in accordance to the rules prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)."

The statement said that the airline filed a complaint with the Airport Police and reported the matter to the DGCA the next day, following all laid down civil aviation requirement by the regulator.

"The airline wishes to reiterate that all courtesies were extended and all internal and regulatory procedures were adhered to at every stage. Safety of our passengers comes first. We will do everything to be courteous, but we urge passengers to comply with regulation and support the crew in keeping the airline safe," the statement read.

The statement went on to explain the ordeal that led to chaos.

"When the aircraft was taxing for take-off from Ranchi Airport, the senior cabin crew who was operating the flight, following the pre-take off safety and security procedures, noticed the lady passenger seated in seat 17F speaking on the phone and requested her to switch off her mobile phone as this is against prescribed safety procedures. The passenger resorted to verbal abuse against the senior cabin crew. The senior cabin crew then managed to calm the passenger down and resumed his duties. However, the passenger continued to be abusive," it said.

"Upon landing into Hyderabad and since the lady passenger was travelling alone, the captain took a call to allow the guest to fly to Bengaluru on her assurance that she would remain calm through the remainder of the flight. Upon arrival at Bengaluru, the disruptive passenger was escorted in a crew coach along with a security staff of the airline to the passenger arrival hall. She was then escorted to the airport police station with the airline's lady security staff and two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel," the statement concluded.