Kenya's aviation sector ratified travelling rules to conform with international standards in a new move aimed at restoring order in the industry.
This followed the deposit of the instruments of accession to the Protocol to amend the convention on offences and other acts while on aircraft.
The instruments were deposited on the sidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) assembly in Montreal, Canada.
The new tough rules aim to tame cases of passengers who fail to respect the rules of conduct while on aircraft. They also target passengers who have the ingrained tendency to ignore instructions issued by crew members and end up creating threats to safe flights.
Defending the move to adopt new rules in the aviation sector, the government argued that it was essential to restoring order in the industry.
Kenya will now follow the Montreal Protocol of 2014, which was adopted to strengthen the capacity of states to curb the escalation of incidents involving unruly passengers.
The New Rules
Following the adoption of the new rules, passengers who make unwelcome and forceful advances to cabin crew will now be charged in accordance with the protocols.
Kenyan travellers who vandalise aircraft equipment, including defacing interiors, will be penalised. The law will also target petty offenders who unplug aircraft earpieces and other devices and go away with them.
Ignoring crew orders on the use of electronic devices while on board will also be considered an offence which will attract harsh penalties.
Kenyan passengers and others who traverse the world and end up threatening the safety of other travellers will also be held accountable.
Unruly behaviour forcing pilots to divert planes will be punishable under the new ratified rules.
Alcohol intoxication and illegal consumption of drugs while on board will also be considered an offence under the new rules.
"It has been noted that what generally happens in the street is now happening on board aircraft," the ICAO report noted.
