The directive came after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation received reports that the flight crew of a scheduled airline had allowed entry of unauthorised persons into the cockpit. It also received reports about people clicking photographs from the aircraft in flight as also at airports, including defence airfields.
Warning that such instances violated the Aeronautical Information Circular and the 1937 Aircraft Rules, the DGCA, in a circular, warned that "action will be taken against the defaulting airline or individual for violating the provisions".
DGCA's Aeronautical Information Circular 3 of 1997 prohibits entry of unauthorised persons in the cockpit, while Rule 13 of the Aircraft Rules says that "no person shall take, or cause or permit to be taken, at a government aerodrome or from an aircraft in flight, any photograph".
Though these norms have been in existence for years now, due to the recent instances of their violation, the aviation regulator issued the circular to reiterate the norms.
After the 9/11 terror attacks, strict security norms were introduced by airlines and aviation regulators, including guidelines on pilots entry and exit from the cockpit and a complete ban on entry of those not authorised to do so.
