When we go to places like the vineyards in Nashik or the beachscapes of Goa, a part of us wants to get huge loads of the local alcohol back home (if you drink them, of course). However, getting alcohol on flights isn’t as simple as popping them open! Airlines in India have strict rules and regulations when it comes to carrying liquor. But worry not! We’re here to guide you through alcohol rules for domestic flights so you won’t have to worry about how you can bring your favorite feni, wine, (or almost anything else) back home!
Alcohol Rules For Domestic Flights: Checked-In Baggage Rules
Passengers flying domestically (within India) can carry a maximum of five liters of liquor in their checked baggage. They are allowed to only carry alcohol content per bottle that is between 24% and 70% alcohol by volume (ABV). However, liquor with an ABV of more than 70% is strictly prohibited.
Moreover, passengers are not allowed to carry partially consumed or opened alcohol bottles. These bottles must be in their original, unopened retail packaging. And not just that, they must also be sealed/packaged properly to ensure there is no leakage or damage. The Ministry of Civil Aviation allows security checkpoints to bar passengers from boarding if the bottles are not sealed or packaged securely enough.
While this is applicable to most spirits and wines with an ABV of 24% to 70%, liquor that has an ABV of 24% or less (some beers and wines) has no cap limit on the quantity you can carry in checked baggage.
Also Read: Liquor Gone Vegan: Must Have Vegan Vodka Varieties
Cabin Baggage Rules For Alcohol In Domestic Flights
Cabin baggage rules are different from the rules for checked-in baggage. While the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) advises against carrying alcohol in cabin baggage, each airline has set guidelines on the permissible amount of alcohol allowed in the cabin or if it’s even allowed at all. However, no airline in India allows passengers to consume their purchased alcohol in the flight. They are only allowed to consume the liquor served as part of their meals, if any.
Air India completely prohibits carrying alcohol in its cabin baggage. However, SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Akasa Air permit carrying bottles under broadly similar conditions. These are mentioned below:
Alcohol purchased from the Airport Security Hold Area or duty-free shops must be in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum capacity not exceeding 1 liter. Some airlines might also require it to be packed in Security Tamper Evident Bags (STEB).
Make sure to check with the rules and regulations of the airline carrier you’ll fly with for specific packaging requirements and limits.
Also Read: Legal Age of Drinking In India: A Comprehensive Guide
State-Wise Rules And Regulations And Other Precautions
Some states in India have been announced as ‘dry states’ and these include the likes of Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, and Mizoram. Here, manufacturing, storage, sale, and consumption of alcohol is strictly banned. So, if you’re flying into these states with your alcohol, make sure to check with regulations on alcohol consumption.
Also, to prevent any security breach or mishap, it is advised to not consume alcohol before your scheduled flight. Airlines reserve complete rights to deny boarding or confiscate alcohol if they believe that a passenger is intoxicated. Similarly, they have the right to confiscate the alcohol if they think it possesses a risk to passenger safety.
As precaution, we advise you to seal alcohol bottles tightly and wrap them in bubble wrap. Alternatively, you can also wrap them or cover them between soft layers of clothing.
Summing Up
Alcohol rules for domestic flights might sound intimidating, but with the right planning and precautions, you need not worry about anything! The next time you’re planning to gift a lovely bottle of wine to your dear ones or planning to take some local alcohol for your friends and worried about domestic flight rules, you know where to get all the information you need. Cheers to safe flying AND safe drinking!
