The airline said he refused to pay the charges or follow the process and instead forced his way into the aerobridge. (Videograb)
SpiceJet has banned a senior Indian Army officer from flying on its flights for five years. The officer allegedly assaulted staff members at Srinagar airport on July 26 after a dispute over extra baggage charges.
Officials confirmed that the airline declared the passenger “unruly” and added him to its no-fly list. This means he cannot board any domestic or international SpiceJet flight until the end of the ban.
The fight broke out at the boarding gate of SpiceJet flight SG 386 from Srinagar to Delhi. The officer was carrying two cabin bags that together weighed 16 kg, which was more than double the permitted limit of 7 kg.
The airline said he refused to pay the charges or follow the process and instead forced his way into the aerobridge. A CISF official stopped him and escorted him back to the gate.
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At the gate, the passenger became violent. SpiceJet said he attacked four ground staff members. The airline described the attack as a “murderous assault.” One staff member suffered a spinal fracture, while another had jaw injuries.
A video of the incident surfaced online on August 3. It showed the officer hitting SpiceJet staff with a queue stand. The clip quickly went viral, sparking public anger.
Later, the airline complained and demanded action from the Civil Aviation Ministry. Under Section 115 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which addresses willful harm, a first information report (FIR) was also filed against the officer.
Under India’s aviation rules, unruly behavior on flights or at airports can result in strict action. Airlines can ban passengers for three months, six months, or, in extreme cases, for a minimum of two years.
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A special committee reviews each case and decides the length of the ban. In this case, the committee recommended a five-year ban, one of the longest punishments possible.
Passengers on the no-fly list can appeal the decision within 60 days. The appeal goes before another panel led by a retired judge.
According to data shared in Parliament, India has placed 379 passengers on the no-fly list in the last five years. This includes 48 passengers added until July 30 this year.
The number of bans has varied each year. In 2020, only 10 people were banned. The figure rose to 66 in 2021, then 63 in 2022. The year 2023 saw the highest number with 110 passengers banned, before dropping to 82 in 2024.
SpiceJet has not yet released an official statement on the five-year ban. However, the incident has once again highlighted the growing problem of unruly passengers and raised questions about the safety of airline staff.
