Air India fined for safety violation and license suspension of pilot
“The license of an Air India pilot who invited his ‘lady friend’ into the cockpit
has been suspended for 3 months and the airline has been fined Rs 30 lakh.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended the license of an Air India pilot
and imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh for allowing a woman friend into the cockpit
during a flight from Dubai to Delhi.
Air travel safety is of utmost importance, and any violation of safety norms can have serious consequences. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is responsible for regulating and overseeing the safety of civil aviation in India. In a recent incident,
an Air India pilot allowed a woman friend into the cockpit during a flight from Dubai to Delhi, violating safety norms.
As a result, DGCA has suspended the license of the pilot and imposed a fine on Air India for not addressing the issue promptly and effectively. This article provides details of the incident and the action taken by DGCA against Air India.
About The Incident
On February 27, 2023, an Air India flight from Dubai to Delhi had a safety violation incident. The pilot allowed a woman friend, who was an Air India staff on duty traveling as a passenger, to enter the cockpit during the cruise. This action violated DGCA regulations and safety norms. The co-pilot was warned for not being assertive in preventing the action. DGCA took note of the incident and launched an investigation. In its report, DGCA revealed that pilot’s “lady friend” allowed into the cockpit in violation of safety norms.
DGCA Action
DGCA has taken strong action against Air India for the safety violation incident. The license of pilot has suspended for three months. The co-pilot has warned for not being assertive in preventing the action. DGCA has imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for not addressing the issue promptly and effectively. The aviation regulator take administrative actio against the lady,
including removing her from any managerial functions within the organization for a specified period.
In its note, DGCA said, “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 fined ₹thirty lakhs for not promptly and effectively addressing the safety sensitive issue. AI directed to take administrative action against the SOD/passenger including removing from any managerial functions in the organization for a specified period.”
Air India spokesperson acknowledged and accepted the ruling of DGCA. However, the spokesperson rejected the assertion that no action was taken by Air India in response to the complaint. According to the spokesperson, there were a number of allegations that needed to be worked through with due process and confidentiality, which commenced immediately upon the complaint being lodged.
Other Incidents
This is not the first time Air India has been fined for safety violations. In the last few months, Air India has been fined Rs 70 lakh for various safety violations. On April 18, a Delhi-bound Air India flight requested an emergency landing at
Indira Gandhi International Airport after a sudden windshield crack. The flight, which started from Pune, landed normally, though. On the same day, a Srinagar-bound SpiceJet flight returned to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport after a false warning. These incidents show the need for stricter safety measures in air travel.
Conclusion
Air travel safety is crucial, and any violation of safety norms must be taken seriously. The recent incident involving Air India pilot allowing a woman friend into the cockpit mid-air is a serious safety violation,
and DGCA has taken strong action against Air India for this.
