The licence of an Air India pilot was suspended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday for three months because he entered the cockpit with a female friend when the flight from Dubai to Delhi was in flight.
According to the DGCA, Air India has been fined Rs 30 lakh for failing to “promptly and effectively address the safety sensitive issue.” The co-pilot has also received a warning for not taking firm steps to stop the action.
On February 27, this incident occurred when the flight was travelling from Dubai to Delhi. The incident, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), broke safety standards.
The DGCA noted that the pilot’s “lady friend” was actually an employee of Air India who was travelling for work.
Additionally, the aviation regulator has requested that administrative action be taken against the woman, including her removal from all supervisory positions within the company for an agreed-upon period.
“The pilot in command of the flight allowed the entry into cockpit during cruise, of an Air India Staff on duty travelling as passenger in violation of DGCA regulations. Air India has been fined ₹thirty lakhs for not promptly and effectively addressing the safety sensitive issue,” the DGCA said.
“AI has been directed to take administrative action against the SOD/passenger including removing from any managerial functions in the organisation for a specified period,” it added.
“We acknowledge and accept the DGCA’s ruling. However, we reject the assertion that no action was taken by Air India in response to the complaint. There were a number of allegations which needed to be worked through with due process and confidentiality, and which commenced immediately upon the complaint being lodged,” said Air India spokesperson.
In the recent months, Air India has received fines totaling Rs 70 lakh.
This comes after an Air India flight with a destination of Delhi requested an emergency landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport on April 18 due to a sudden windshield crack.
However, the flight, which took off from Pune, landed without incident. On the same day, a SpiceJet flight with a destination of Srinagar returned to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport following an erroneous alert.
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