Indian airline creates 'women only' section on planes to prevent abuse of solo female passengers

  • Air India is reserving six seats on each of its planes for solo female travellers 
  • It will also keep plastic handcuffs on all flights to restrain rowdy passengers
  • The decision has been met with mixed reactions from Air India customers  

By Caroline Mcguire for MailOnline

Published: 10:56 EST, 16 January 2017 | Updated: 10:56 EST, 16 January 2017

Air India has announced plans to reserve six seats in each aeroplane for female passengers. 

The state-run airline revealed the move was an attempt to preserve the safety of women travelling alone. 

All of the seats in row three on Air India planes will now only be allocated to women. 

Air India has announced plans to reserve six seats in each aeroplane for female passengers 

The airline will also keep plastic handcuffs on all flights to restrain passengers who get 'totally out of control.'

The move comes after a recent incident where a female passenger was groped by a male passenger while asleep on one of their planes.  

Meenakshi Malik of Air India said: 'We will be reserving the third row—six seats—in the economy class of the aircraft for female passengers travelling alone. 

'We feel, as national carriers, it is our responsibility to enhance comfort level to female passengers.'  

All of the seats in row three on Air India planes will now only be allocated to women and a pair of plastic handcuffs will be kept on all flights to restrain rowdy passengers

The move, which is thought to be a first in the aviation industry, has received mixed reactions from customers though. 

While some have applauded the decision, others have said that it is a token gesture. 

While one Twitter user called @PoonamJayant said it was a welcome step that should also be extended to private airlines, others were less impressed.  

One user called  ‏@annabelle_bzhp said: 'Reserving seats for women is a patronising, sexist move by Air India.'

Another called  ‏@ReachDanish said: 'Seat reservation for women? Thank you Air India for "fortifying" the gender stereotypes. Air India [has] gone cuckoo.' 

MailOnline has contacted Air India for further comment. 

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