Controversial new rule introduced to flights

It’s incredibly frustrating having someone hold up your flight for arriving late, but it’s no reason to beat staff with a pair of sandals.

Air India is introducing hefty fines for latecomers who turn unruly and passengers who delay flights because of their bad behaviour after a series of attacks on the airport staff. 

According to the India Times, a politician beat a 60-year-old staff member with a pair of sandals after a politician from a rival party held up the flight as her wheelchair-bound mother was requested to change seats from the emergency row – as is common procedure on airlines. 

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In another case, a different politician assaulted an Air Indian staffer as he arrived late to his flight and was refused boarding. 

To add insult to injury, the politicians got away scot-free. The new rules aim to create greater accountability for people’s actions in all tiers of society.

The fines for arriving up to an hour late are equivalent to AU$10,000, one to two hours late is $20,000 and for delaying a flight for more than two hours is a $30,000 fine. 

The fines are symbolic amounts meant to deter this behaviour. 

What do you think about fining unruly travellers? Let us know in the comments below.