Passenger safety
17.—(1)  For every flight of a large aeroplane involving the carriage of at least one passenger, the AOC holder must ensure that —
(a)no passenger is seated so as to hinder evacuation from the aeroplane in the event of an emergency evacuation;
(b)any passenger who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or exhibits behavioural characteristics to the extent where the safety of the aeroplane or its occupants is likely to be endangered, is refused embarkation or removed from the aeroplane, as appropriate;
(c)any disabled passenger carried on board is appropriately cared for, which includes allocating appropriate seating positions and providing handling assistance in the event of an emergency;
(d)any passenger seated in a seat row next to an emergency exit is competent to operate the emergency exit;
(e)an escorted passenger does not constitute a safety hazard to the other passengers or to the aeroplane, and that prior arrangements for the carriage of the escorted passenger have been made in accordance with procedures specified in the AOC holder’s Operations Manual;
(f)a senior cabin crew member, or the pilot‑in‑command, is informed when a disabled or escorted person is to be carried on board the aeroplane; and
(g)in the event of an emergency occurring in flight, passengers are instructed in such emergency action as may be appropriate to the circumstances.
(2)  Despite paragraph (1), a large aeroplane may carry any person on board if —
(a)the aeroplane is being operated for the purpose of search and rescue or as an air ambulance; and
(b)the AOC holder has taken reasonable action to minimise the risk to the aeroplane and its occupants.
(3)  When a large aeroplane carries, or is to carry, at least one passenger, the AOC holder must ensure that —
(a)every exit and every internal door of the aeroplane is in working order; and
(b)during take-off, landing and any emergency, every exit and every internal door —
(i)is kept free of obstruction apart from an exit which, in accordance with an approved aircraft configuration, is not required for use by any passenger; and
(ii)is not fastened by locking or otherwise so as to prevent, hinder or delay its use by any passenger.
(4)  Despite paragraph (3)(b)(ii), the pilot‑in‑command of a large aeroplane may prevent access to the flight deck by locking or bolting any internal working door between the flight deck and an adjacent compartment to which any passengers has access.
(5)  Paragraph (3) does not apply to an internal door that does not prevent, hinder or delay the exit of passengers from a large aeroplane during an emergency even if the door is not in working order.