The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a stringent reminder to licensed air operators about their legal obligation to comply with Kuwait's Environmental Protection Law No. 42/2014 and its amendments. The warning comes in response to recurring reports of smoking violations by aircraft crews and passengers, highlighting the severe legal and financial consequences for non-compliance.

Penalties for Violations

Under Article 138 of the Environmental Protection Law, violators of the smoking ban in public transportation face hefty fines. These penalties range from KD 50,000 to KD 200,000, alongside other strict legal measures. Article 56 of the law explicitly prohibits smoking in all forms of public transportation, including commercial flights.

To address this issue, the DGCA has formally reminded air operators of the law's stipulations and urged them to prioritize compliance to avoid legal repercussions.

Measures to Ensure Compliance

The DGCA has recommended immediate actions by air operators to reinforce adherence to the law, including:

• Educating Aircraft Crews: All crew members must be instructed to abstain from smoking during flights.
• Passenger Awareness Campaigns: Airlines should educate passengers about the smoking ban and associated penalties through in-flight announcements and safety instructions.
• Updating Safety Guidelines: Smoking-related penalties and environmental protection measures should be prominently included in safety guidelines to emphasize their importance.

Commitment to Environmental Protection and Passenger Safety

The DGCA stressed that these measures are part of broader efforts to ensure passenger safety and support environmental conservation. Licensed operators are expected to demonstrate their commitment by implementing strict policies against smoking onboard.