Flyers who don't wear masks may be declared 'unruly' and de-boarded: DGCA

DGCA's Wednesday circular said airlines must ensure the passengers wear masks properly on flights and they are removed from faces only 'under exceptional circumstances and for permitted reasons'

Airlines must de-board any passenger before departure if they refuse to wear face mask inside an aircraft even after being warned, aviation regulator DGCA said on Wednesday.

Besides, airport operators must take help of the local police and security agencies and levy fines on people not wearing face masks, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a circular.

The circular followed a Delhi High Court order of June 3 which said the "DGCA should issue separate binding directions to all staff persons deployed at the airports and in the aircraft, including flight attendants, air hostesses, captains/pilots and others,