Beware! No more selfie on board, DGCA taking cognizance

Taking a serious note of rampant violation of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's Rule 13 that prohibits taking photographs or selfie inside airport or on board a flight, the DGCA is all set to issue a safety circular warning passengers and crew members against such violations, a senior official told ANI on Friday.

The regulatory body may also consider some serious action against violators.

The DGCA's move holds importance in view of the Brussels' airport attacks in Belgium that claimed lives of over 30, while leaving scores of others injured. According to intelligence inputs, terrorists can target airports or aircraft.

The DGCA Rule 13 reads: "No person shall take, or cause or permit to be taken, at a Government aerodrome or from an aircraft in flight, any photograph except in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of a permission in writing granted by the Director-General, a Joint Director General, a Deputy Director-General or the Director of Regulations and Information of the Civil Aviation Department.

"Provided that the Director-General from time to time, may, by notification in the official Gazette, direct that these restrictions shall not apply to photography at any Government aerodrome, or within such limits of any Government aerodrome as may be specified in the order."

However, the DGCA has found rampant violation of this rule not only by passengers but also by crew members.

Recently, the DGCA issued warnings to two Indigo pilots for taking selfie inside the aircraft and posting those photographs on Facebook.