How to avoid the airline blacklist?
Since June, airlines can maintain blacklists of passengers, which is sufficient grounds for refusing travel. So, why can you get on an airline's blacklist?
- Hooliganism on board
- Violation of passenger safety
- Disobedience to the aircraft commander’s requirements
How does this happen? This is not an oral reprimand, but a whole process, so it’s not handed out to just anyone.
- The pilot must officially document the passenger’s offense in writing and provide a copy to the unruly passenger. If they refuse to take it, a note will be made.
- Upon arrival, the offender is met by the police.
- Next, there is a court hearing that will decide whether to hold the unruly passenger criminally or administratively liable. However, a fine for hooliganism will still have to be paid.
- Only a court (not the airline) can add a defaulting passenger to the blacklist. In this case, the offender receives a notification letter from the airline.
What happens next? If a passenger is on an airline’s blacklist, the airline has the right to refuse them carriage for one year. But there are always exceptions. If the unruly passenger needs to return home and there are no alternative ways to do so, the airline is obliged to take them on board. This also applies in cases of deportation, if the unruly passenger is flying to another country for medical treatment, a close relative’s funeral, or accompanying a disabled person. However, while on one airline’s blacklist, the offender can use the services of other carriers. The main thing is not to repeat the same behavior with them. Keep yourself in check! =)
