Air India pilot invites woman into the cockpit of flight to ‘impress her’, fined Rs 30 lakhs by DGCA
The pilot told the cabin crew that the cockpit should “appear welcoming, warm and comfortable, as though he was preparing his living room for a lady friend”. He even demanded that she be served alcohol and snacks.
Aviation watchdog DGCA on Friday slapped a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for lapses in effectively addressing the “safety sensitive issue” related to the incident of a pilot allowing a female friend into the cockpit during a Delhi-Dubai flight on February 27.
“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,” said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Air India did not take prompt corrective action despite this being a “safety sensitive violation”, said the regulator.
“The CEO of Air India received a complaint from one of the operating crew members of the flight. However, the organisation did not take prompt corrective action despite this being a safety sensitive violation. Anticipating delayed response, the complainant approached the DGCA,” the regulator said in a press statement.
The Air India pilot allegedly told the cabin crew that the cockpit should “appear welcoming, warm and comfortable, as though he was preparing his living room for a lady friend”, the complaint said. He even demanded that she be served alcohol and snacks.
