Passenger safety
17.—(1)  For every flight involving the carriage of at least one passenger on a relevant aircraft, the AOC holder must ensure that —
(a)no passenger is seated so as to hinder evacuation from the aircraft 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 aircraft or its occupants is likely to be endangered, is refused embarkation or removed from the aircraft, 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)an escorted passenger does not constitute a safety hazard to other passengers or to the aircraft, and that prior arrangements for the carriage of the escorted passenger have been made in accordance with procedures specified in the Operations Manual; and
(e)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 relevant aircraft may carry any person on board if —
(a)the aircraft 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 aircraft and its occupants.
(3)  When a relevant aircraft carries, or is to carry, at least one passenger, the AOC holder must ensure that —
(a)every exit and every internal working door of the aircraft is in working order; and
(b)during take-off, landing, and any emergency, every exit and every internal working door of the aircraft —
(i)is kept free of obstruction apart from an exit which, in accordance with an approved 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 relevant aircraft 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 passenger 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 relevant aircraft during an emergency even if the door is not in working order.