The next time you're tempted to shoot an Instagram Reel, YouTube Short, travel vlog or even photo shoots at the airport, you may want to check the rules first. For Mumbai travellers using Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), the primary rules in play are the civilian ones.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has tightened restrictions on photography and videography in sensitive airport areas across India.
The move comes as social media content creation inside airports continues to grow, raising concerns about security and operational safety.
Here are seven key things every traveller should know:
Creating travel content inside airports has become increasingly popular, but filming in the wrong location can now lead to serious consequences. Authorities are stepping up enforcement against unauthorised photography and videography in restricted areas.
Under Rule 13 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, photography at government aerodromes or from an aircraft in flight requires written permission from the Director General of Civil Aviation. While the rule has existed for decades, officials are now actively enforcing it.
Photography is allowed in public zones such as arrival halls, food courts and retail areas. However, filming is prohibited in operational and security-sensitive locations, including:
Even if your video appears harmless, it may still violate airport regulations if it captures security infrastructure, surveillance systems, staff operations or restricted procedures.
According to the DGCA, posting such footage online can be considered a breach regardless of whether the information was recorded intentionally.
Airport officials cite a sharp rise in travel content being created and shared from within airport premises. Some uploads have unintentionally revealed sensitive operational details, prompting concerns about security risks.
In recent years, passengers, especially vloggers and influencers, had taken photos or videos through aircraft windows during takeoff or landing at these airbases and later posted them on social media — sometimes inadvertently revealing military activities, the layout of airbases and other sensitive areas.
The window-shades-down rule — which required shades to remain closed during takeoff and landing at these airports — has since been withdrawn, but the photography ban continues to apply.
Security personnel have been authorised to take immediate action against violators. Depending on the severity of the incident, passengers may face:
Repeat offenders could face stricter penalties such as a formal recommendation to the DGCA for inclusion on the No-Fly List. The No-Fly List is a real and consequential instrument. Under the Civil Aviation Requirements on handling unruly passengers, misconduct is categorised into three levels: Level 1 attracts a ban of up to three months, Level 2 up to six months, and Level 3 a minimum of two years or more without limit.
Even in areas where photography is generally permitted, passengers must comply with directions from airport authorities, airline staff and security personnel.
If an area is marked as restricted or officials instruct travellers not to record, those instructions must be followed immediately.
Capturing travel memories is a common part of modern travel, but airport security regulations take precedence over social media content. Before hitting the record button, make sure you're not filming in a restricted area—because a few seconds of footage could result in consequences far more serious than missing out on a viral video.
A final word for flyers at Mumbai airport, which is India’s busiest international hub, is just to film your coffee and food at the lounge, not the gate or the tarmac.