Photography while onboard will invite flight suspension on route for two-week: DGCA

According to the DGCA order, 'As per Rule 13 of the Aircraft Rules 1937, 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.'

The new guideline comes against the backdrop of mediapersons surrounding the actor Kangana Ranaut with cameras while onboard in a Chandigarh-Mumbai Indigo flight on September 9.

The DGCA stated that the ban on the airline company will come into effect from the next day of such incident.

Even after a two-week ban, the airline company will not be allowed to start flying on that route unless it takes punitive action against the person responsible for the violation of the rules.

The DGCA said the new order is however not applicable when such aircraft is landing, taking off or on ground at a defence aerodrome, the DGCA said.

In spite of these regulations, it has been noted that at times, the Airlines have failed to follow these stipulations primarily because of lack of diligence on their part, the governing body said.

'Needless to say that such deviations result in compromise in maintaining the highest standards of safety and therefore, is not to be allowed,' the aviation regulator said.