Govt planning to scrap pre-flight paperwork

The government is planning to make the “boarding pass and security interactions digital” for flights as part of its paperless “Digi-yatra” initiative through which passengers will be identified on the basis of their Aadhaar card or passport numbers. Modalities are being worked out in this regard.

There are also indications that the government could compile a “no-fly” list of unruly passengers only after categorising misconduct on various levels along with penalties through regulatory actions.

Speaking on the sidelines of an industry chamber event earlier in the day on the government’s Digiyatra initiative, minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha said, “The whole experience (of flying) would be completely digital so that you wouldn’t need any paper and you would be able to book your car to the airport, get into the airport, get a digital boarding pass, board your aircraft, take a car way back and do all of that just with your mobile phone.”

Explaining the concept, he further said, “Your payment is digital, your boarding and security interactions are digital...

If people behave in an unruly manner and endanger the safety of others on a flight, we will ensure they aren’t able to fly...

— Jayant Sinha, MoS, civil aviation

That is the digi yatra concept we are working on.”

In an obvious reference to the proposed no-fly list the government is working on, Mr Sinha said, “...If passengers behave in an unruly or disruptive manner and endanger the safety of all of us in an aeroplane, then we will have a way of ensuring they are not able to fly and are appropriately dealt with.”

On whether there will be a “blanket ban” on flying all airlines in case of misconduct, the MoS said, “We are investigating this right now.”

“The no-fly list will include both safety and security concerns. Safety concerns emanate when there are passengers that exhibit unruly behaviour,” he added.