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Johannesburg - Using a vuvuzela on a South African Airways (SAA) flight could land you behind bars.
SAA warned in Sawubona, its on-board magazine, that the use of a vuvuzela on board could be seen as a criminal offence in terms of civil aviation legislation.
According to the article, the noise could make it difficult for crew to impart important safety information or emergency evacuation procedures to passengers.
On smaller planes it could also prevent crew from hearing important radio messages and it could upset fellow passengers.
Legislation
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson Kabelo Ledwaba said there was no new legislation specifically about vuvuzelas, but the disruption they could cause was covered by "broader legislation".
Merriam Mamabolo, a senior legal advisor at the CAA, said this would fall under Article 135 of the Civil Aviation Act, which dealt with disorder on planes.
This legislation would especially be relevant if a crew member for example told a passenger not to blow a vuvuzela, but the passenger did not pay attention.
The maximum punishment for such an offence was six months in prison.
Offences which pertained to the use of vuvuzelas, could also fall under Article 144, which made provision for offences which were not specified in the rest of the act.
In such cases, jail sentences of up to 10 years could be imposed.
SAA warned in Sawubona, its on-board magazine, that the use of a vuvuzela on board could be seen as a criminal offence in terms of civil aviation legislation.
According to the article, the noise could make it difficult for crew to impart important safety information or emergency evacuation procedures to passengers.
On smaller planes it could also prevent crew from hearing important radio messages and it could upset fellow passengers.
Legislation
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson Kabelo Ledwaba said there was no new legislation specifically about vuvuzelas, but the disruption they could cause was covered by "broader legislation".
Merriam Mamabolo, a senior legal advisor at the CAA, said this would fall under Article 135 of the Civil Aviation Act, which dealt with disorder on planes.
This legislation would especially be relevant if a crew member for example told a passenger not to blow a vuvuzela, but the passenger did not pay attention.
The maximum punishment for such an offence was six months in prison.
Offences which pertained to the use of vuvuzelas, could also fall under Article 144, which made provision for offences which were not specified in the rest of the act.
In such cases, jail sentences of up to 10 years could be imposed.
