The Union government on Thursday said that passengers who play music loudly inside aircraft using their mobile phones or other electronic devices without using earphones may face penal action if such conduct amounts to unruly behaviour under aviation rules.

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha by Namakkal MP Matheshwaran, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already issued Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) dealing with unruly passengers

The Minister stated that the CAR, issued under Rules 22, 23 and 29 of the Aircraft Rules of 1937 covers any unlawful or disruptive behaviour on board an aircraft.

Rule 22 deals with refusal of carriage and disembarkation of passengers, rule 23 empowers the pilot-in-command to restrain persons acting in a manner prejudicial to safety or good order and rule 29 provides for penalties for contravention of the Aircraft Rules.

On guidelines regarding music inside aircraft, the Minister clarified that airlines equipped with in-flight entertainment systems follow an operational practice of playing soft instrumental music during boarding and disembarkation. Other pre-loaded entertainment content may also be provided during the flight

On a related query regarding video blogging inside aircraft, the Minister pointed to Rule 13 of the Aircraft Rules which restricts photography at DGCA-licensed aerodromes and from aircraft in flight without prior written permission.

The government did not indicate any proposal to introduce fresh penal provisions specifically targeting passengers who play music without earphones.

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